Over the past several years there has been a decline in volunteers for Riley County Fire District #1.
Riley County Fire Chief Pat Collins said Monday was the first time in the history of the Fire District that he had to go to the Riley County Commission ( Fire Board of District #1 ) and tell them know there were not enough members left to keep the Peach Grove Fire Station open.
That station is closed to the center of the county and just two miles from the Marshall County line. It provides the first response for fires in an approximate 25 square mile area in northern Riley County. Collins said having the station there, with it current apparatus, when properly staffed has made it possible for the District to obtain a current ISO insurance rating of 5-5Y and reduced insurance rates for 20-30% for years. If that station is closed the people in that area will not only lose basic fire protection from a close station but they could see a sharp increase in insurance rates. The next closest stations are the Swede Creek and in May Day.
(Read more: Little Apple Post)
