Information about the Waveland Fire Department

The City of Waveland is located approximately 58 miles East of New Orleans, La., 93 miles West of Mobile, Ala. and 160 miles South of Jackson, Ms; on the Mississippi Gulf Coast! The Waveland Volunteer Fire Company No.1 was first chartered on the 26^th day of October 1888.  And on the 5th day of June 1957, the Waveland Volunteer Fire Department Inc. was chartered, and the dedicated volunteers provided fire service to the town of Waveland! In 1974 the Town of Waveland gained the population to become a Municipality. The dedicated Volunteers continued to provide fire services until 1979 when the Volunteer Fire Department gave its authority to the City of Waveland, who hired the first paid Fire Chief and (3) firefighters; built a new Station, purchased a new fire engine, and equipment, and took over maintenance of the current station and equipment that was purchased and maintained by the Volunteers.

 The City of Waveland Fire Department currently provides fire protection to the incorporated limits of the City of Waveland and assist (AMR) American Medical Response with rescue and medical calls. The City of Waveland is Approximately 5 square miles. This service is run out of (2) two fire stations (1) one South of the railroad tracks and the other being on the North side of the railroad. (4) Fire Engines, (3) Pickup Trucks, (1) Grass/ Brush Truck, (1) Salvage and Overhaul Truck, (1) Ford Explorer Command Vehicle (1) Ford Crown Victoria. A group of 15 Firefighters works (3) three shifts; therefore, one of the shifts (A, B, and C,) is always on duty. Each shift has a minimum manning level of (5) personnel on duty each day.  In addition, on duty, is one of the auxiliary personnel. In addition to the (15) career personnel, the fire department has a staff of 20 auxiliary personnel who works a 12-hour shift, 365 days a year. One of the auxiliary members is always on duty in the evening. This helps to provide extra staffing in the evening and nights. In addition to the Career and Auxiliary personnel the Department is very proud of its Volunteer staff of (5) five people.  All Career personnel are trained to the State of Mississippi Minimum Standards Level, Firefighter 1001-I-II, and receive additional training in Basic Emergency Medical Technician; Rope Rescue – I, Confined Space Rescue, Initial Response To Hazardous Materials Incidents Basic Concepts and Concept Implementation, and Hazardous Materials Technician – I. Additional training is required for shift Supervisors. In addition to the above position, the Department has the following personnel- Administration Positions Chief, Asst Chief, and Secretary.

 The City of Waveland has an estimated population of 7,400 residents, 2,645 single-family dwellings, 401 Apartments units, 177 Motel rooms, 14 Churches, 5 Shopping strip malls, 2 Schools, and numerous other small businesses! The Waveland Fire Department answered over 629 calls during 1999, with 316 providing emergency medical services, 3 Vehicle Extrications, 8 Structures fires, 125 Trash, Brush/ Grass fires, 5 unauthorized fires, 49 False alarms, 12 Vehicles fires, 20 Mutual Aid responses, and 75 Services responses. The average response time is 4 minutes or less.

 The City Of Waveland Fire Department Currently has a Fire Protection Class of Class 5 Fire Protection Rating. Fire Protection Rating Classes are awarded by Mississippi State Fire Rating Bureau according to the Fire Department, Water Supply, Fire Service Communications, and Fire Safety Control.

BACK