Cokeville Volunteer Fire Department

The Cokeville Volunteer Fire Department is the only department on the Bear River Fire District. It consists solely of volunteer women and men living within the district's boundaries. Currently, there is much good equipment which is good news. The unfortunate news is that the volunteers on today's department will be very shorthanded in the event of many situations that can occur in our area.

How can you help? Join the volunteer fire department. We meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month. Our meeting place is at the town hall. We start at 7pm and can go 1-3 hours, depending on the training happening. There can be one call for service a month or no calls for three months. There can also be two calls in one day. That happened last summer, we responded up grade creek for a wild land fire. The fire was very deep in the timber so we sat around and listened to helicopters. As we were heading "back to the barn" (that's the lingo for parking the trucks in the department bays at the town hall) we got a call for a roll-over. Fortunately, we were almost back to the county road and instead of turning left to head to town, we headed right, up towards the county bridge and were able to get quick help to two roll-over victims. You just never now. That's why we are each issued pagers to carry with us.

We do not sign up for shifts for calls. We are just always on call. If you are in town and your pager goes off, you just go. Now, if you can't go, you can't go. We all understand that. After a while, it's one of those things where what your grandmother told you as a child really comes into play. "How will you act and what will you do in certain situations? You will act your thoughts and priorities." Everyone had a grandmother or teacher that taught that. Well, being a volunteer really puts that to the test. Sometimes it not just the calls for service, but the meetings and trainings which are vital, key, necessary - for success.

Mike Duran is the fire chief and he is very willing to help. Kelly Hoffman and Doug Prows Jr are also officers and very knowledgeable.

We have a great department. Everyone is very willing to help. The board is very supportive and encourages training. They offered all-expense training for the fire schools held twice a year in Cody and Riverton. These trainings are very, very good.

We like to eat together a couple of times a year and last night we had our first "service awards" banquet. Members were presented plaques for their years of service, rounded down to the nearest five. Justin McKinnon, Glen Prows, KayDell Luthi and I received our 5 year awards. Doug Prows Jr. got his 10 year award. Mike Duran got his 15 year award. Janet Prows got her 25 year plaque. Kelly Hoffman was very close (I believe months) to his 20 years so he got his 20 year plaque. Kevin Walker got his 25 year plaque. It was awesome. We also welcomed our newest member, Josh who just moved here with his family to Randolph.

Besides friendship and service the other great benefit is provided by the great state of Wyoming. Wyoming offers volunteer fireman retirement benefits that are paid monthly starting at age 60 for all volunteers who are with a department 10 years or more. So, even if you don't like fire and need a little retirement, come join us. We ask for your commitment and dedication to the department. There is no free ride. But, it is a ride that has great rewards. (Or maybe you'll just like the adrenaline rush!)