Princeton Fire Department

100 Courthouse Road

Princeton, WV  24740-2431

Phone (304) 487-5017 or

(304) 487-5018 (Call ahead to send fax)

Fax (304) 487-5015

E-mail:   fire@princetonfire.com

website:   www.princetonfire.com

Shawn L. Vest

Fire Chief

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»      Princeton Fire Department personnel are motivated by their overwhelming desire to provide an incomparable level of protection for our community.  It is with great resolve that this department serves our citizens with the highest level of dedication and professionalism possible.

»      Thankfully, we can again report no loss of life during the past fiscal year.  Also, $8,651,540 in property was saved this past year.

»      Last year, a total of 1104 fire alarms were answered in the areas of Rescue & Emergency Medical Services, False Alarm and False Call, Fire Calls, Service Calls, Good Intent Calls, Hazardous Conditions, Severe Weather and Natural Disaster, Special Type, and Explosion.

»     The Princeton Fire Department received grants from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant $78,900, Community Foundation of the Virginias $1,045, and Fire Programs Grant $4,565.  With this money, along with $5,380 in City matching share, we were able to buy a new desktop computer, two laptop computers, diesel exhaust system for both fire stations, thermal imaging camera, and Fire Programs Software upgrade.

»      While the Princeton Fire Department is always dedicated to fire safety and prevention, we always use Fire Prevention Week to focus on an aspect of the fire safety program that the National Fire Protection Association has created for everyone to use.  The theme for Fire Prevention week was “Practice Your Escape Plan!” and department personnel and Sparky visited Silver Springs, Straley, and Mercer Elementary, and Princeton Primary showing the children the fire trucks, fire gear, puppet show, and the fire safety house where kids are taught what to do if a smoke detector goes off in their own home such as developing escape routes.

»      Over 1,300 children and adults participated in classes through our Community Health and Safety Program, and Fire Department personnel contributed over 2500 manhours.  Fire Prevention Presentations were held at PCH Daycare, Mercer School, Straley, Princeton Primary, Princeton Middle School, and Princeton Senior High School.  The LPN School, Vo Tech, and Workforce WV participated in our Fire Extinguisher & Evacuation Classes.  Fire Safety talks were held at Mercer County Office of Emergency Services, Princeton Library, Rescue Squad, Dept of Health & Human Resources, US Postal Service, Rescare, local churches, and cub scouts.  CPR Classes were given to Vo Tech Dental Assistants Class.

»      Our Division of Fire Prevention conducted 115 inspections involving New Inspections, Re-Inspections, Occupancy Permits, and Consultations. The process of entering Pre-Plans into our database continued.  Fire investigations have been placed under this Division and 5 investigations were conducted this past year with approximately 30 man-hours spent investigating and assisting the WV Fire Marshal's Office.  Lt. Keith Gunnoe led the fire investigation team with Lt. Chad Bailey and Capt. Steve Broyles assisting.  In the area of Fire Prevention Education, the Fire Department applied for a grant through the AFG Program of the Federal Government for a new fire safety house to replace the current aging safety house.

»      Training hours affect Insurance Services Office evaluations to improve the City’s rating for insurance premiums.  The lower the classification rating, the better the insurance premiums.  The Department currently has a Class 3 ISO rating.  Last year, career and volunteer personnel completed 5,649 hours of training in the areas of: Arson Fatality Investigation, Vehicle Extrication Air Bags, Hazardous Materials Technician, Driver Operator, Confined Space and Rope Rescue, Fire Arson Investigation, CPR and EMT Training, Fire Officer 1, Brush Fire Arson, and ISO 300 and 400.    Career personnel take care of maintenance of all Department vehicles and stations which includes general maintenance and repairs to vehicles, stations, and equipment, installation of new equipment and weekly checks.  Only specialized repairs are done outside the Department saving the citizens of Princeton hundreds of dollars in labor costs each year.