Latest News

2012 Fireman of the Year - Mike Johnson
receives award from last year's recipient, Carl Anderson

In December, 2011, Exxon Field Superintendent Charlie Campbell presented
Fire Marshal Duane Baushke and Fire Chief Brodie Akins with a $5,000
donation from the Exxon Corporation. The funds will be used to help purchase a
new rescue truck. After the presentation, Exxon hosted a dinner at the
Texas Country Music Hall of Fame to honor the dedication of the members of
the local fire department.

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On December 7, 2010, the Carthage Fire Department held its annual Christmas Banquet at the Carthage Firefighter's Assembly Hall. Honored as the 2010 Fireman of the Year was 9 year veteran Ron Clinton. He was presented the award by last year's recipient, Dennis LaGrone.

Fire Marshal, Bryan Rickert, presented statistics for the 2010 year: 160 total alarms, 75 in the city,  85 out of the city: 24 dwelling alarms, 14 commercial, 56 grass or woods fires, 16 automobile, 4 mobile homes, 19 vehicle wrecks, 1 barn fire, 18 false alarms and 8 miscellaneous calls. Fire Marshal Rickert also recognized several members with service pins: Carl Anderson and Erick Duckworth - 1 yr. pins; Duane Baushke and Steve Williams - 15 yr. pins; Mike Ross - 25 yr. pin; David Johnson - 30 yr. pin; Perry Smith - 35 yr. pin; Chief Brodie Akin and Jimmy Turner - 50 yr pins. He also recognized Robert 'Bob' Davis for his 53 yrs. of active service with the department.

Chief Akin recognized several members for their state involvement: Fire Marshal Rickert is the current President of the State Fireman's and Fire Marshals' Association. His son, Bryce Rickert, is the SFFMA Mascot. Governor Rick Perry recently appointed Assistant Fire Chief Gene Giles as a Commissioner of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, and Fireman Steve Williams  to the Board of Trustees of the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System.

Economic Director Charles Thomas and City Manager Brenda Samford were recognized for their years of support and dedication to the Carthage Fire Department and for their assistance in achieving an ISO Public Protection Classification Rating of 2 for the department. This rating is used by insurance companies in the United States to determine the availability and price of property insurance. Ratings are 1 thru 10, with 1 being the best. There are only 103 out of 2,995 cities in the State of Texas that received a 2 or better rating.