Wayne Davenport has been elected fire chief of Viola by the firemen of the Viola Fire Department. Davenport will assume duties of chief left vacant due to the death of former chief Kevin Lawrence, who passed away in May. Davenport has volunteered with the fire department since its inception in 1966.
“I have big shoes to fill,” said Davenport. “Kevin was a close friend and is missed greatly. The things he did for Viola and this department are too many to name.”
The fire hall, located in Viola behind the community center, will be dedicated in memory of Lawrence and will be called the Kevin E. Lawrence Memorial Viola Valley Fire Hall. A date has yet to be set for the dedication ceremony.
Chairman of the fire department board Chris Helton said, “I expect the dedication to take place around the one-year anniversary of Kevin’s death. It seems fitting and allows us time to make sure it is done right.”
Davenport wants Viola citizens to be aware of a fundraiser that is currently under way until Nov. 25 for the Viola Volunteer Fire Department. Viola residents may receive a knock on their door from someone asking for a $40 donation in exchange for a family portrait to be made at the fire hall. Pictures will be made Dec. 14-15 at Viola Valley Fire Department.
“The group which has done a successful job raising money for the Morrison Fire Department in past years will be in charge of this campaign,” said Davenport. “They will be knocking on doors in the early afternoon and evening hours. This is separate and apart from the dues that are paid each year. Money is tight for our volunteer department and we need extra money in order to purchase much-needed equipment. Our tanker is out of date. It lacks the water capacity to be an efficient piece of equipment. The tanker we are hopeful to purchase will be a 3,000-gallon tanker that will be brand new. This will be the first brand new piece of equipment Viola has ever purchased.”
Davenport said the tanker can only be purchased if a matching funds grant is approved.
“The grant process is lengthy and could be up to three years before we see the new equipment if we get approved,” said Davenport. “Our chances are good for the approval of this grant, but anything could change due to this being a government grant. If we are unable to get the grant, we plan to still use the money raised to purchase smaller items such as turn-out gear, breathing apparatus and various other tools that will make fighting fire easier for our firefighters. We hope everyone will participate in our fundraiser by having a portrait made.”