By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• Lee County, Mississippi, officials opened a standalone firehouse in Saltillo and launched weekday fire strike teams to enhance emergency response coverage, fire leaders said.
• The Lee County Fire Strike Team began full-time operations Jan. 5 to support volunteer departments during weekday hours.
• The new Saltillo station provides a dedicated base for full-time crew operations separate from the volunteer firehouse.
• One strike team is stationed in Saltillo and another in Verona to reduce response times in different parts of the county.
• Officials hope faster responses and additional coverage will lower fire insurance ratings in underserved areas.
SALTILLO, MS — Lee County fire officials have expanded emergency coverage by opening a standalone firehouse in Saltillo and deploying full-time fire strike teams to bolster volunteer fire departments and improve response times, authorities said.
The Lee County Fire Strike Team, established Jan. 5, operates Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to support volunteer crews who often face challenges responding to calls during weekday working hours, county leaders reported.
Last week, the Saltillo Fire Department moved into its first stand-alone fire station, creating a second staffed firehouse in the city and providing a permanent base of operations for paid firefighters outside the volunteer facility.
County supervisors have positioned one strike team in Saltillo and another in Verona, using Interstate 22 as the dividing line, to ensure broader weekday coverage and quicker arrival times on fire and medical calls.
Officials said the added staffing and resources aim to supplement volunteer departments, reduce response intervals and potentially improve fire insurance ratings for rural residents.