The Dunklin Fire Protection District is inviting residents to an open house from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday at their firehouse, 1987 Hwy. Z, in Pevely.
Dunklin Fire Chief Brad Williams said the district is focusing on organizing more public relations activities.
“I have talked with some citizens in the public and asked what their thoughts were on the fire district and what we could do to work toward a successful election. The one item I heard consistently was ‘more PR,’” he said.
At the open house, the fire station will be open for tours, and firetrucks will be out for people to explore, weather permitting, Williams said.
“They will be able to view the trucks. We will have the doors open on the compartments so they can view inside and see the equipment,” he said. “We will let the kids get inside the trucks to look around. We will have some bunker gear set out so they can see that as well.”
Attendees will also have the chance to meet with firefighters and ask questions.
Williams said Dunklin Fire also held an open house on March 15, and about 30 people, including both adults and children, attended.
“We were surprised we had the turnout we had at the last one after the storms that came through the day before,” Williams said. “We are hopeful more people will attend the next one.”
Williams said the district will also try to educate attendees about the two tax increases Dunklin Fire will have on the April 8 ballot. One tax increase would be for 25 cents per $100 assessed valuation to be phased in over three years and generate more revenue for the district’s operating fund. The other proposed tax increase is for 5 cents per $100 assessed valuation to boost funding for firefighter pensions.
Williams said the fire district has made more efforts to inform voters about the importance of the tax increases for this election, after voters rejected similar ballot measures the past five years.
He said large signs with information about the proposed tax increases have been placed around the district and smaller signs have been placed in yards. The district also has been handing out small fliers and visiting local clubs and organizations to help educate voters about the tax measures.
The Dunklin Fire Protection District covers 22 square miles that include Pevely, Horine and part of Herculaneum, as well as other parts of unincorporated Jefferson County in the Festus and Barnhart areas and beyond. The district covers approximately 6,445 households and 128 businesses.