Antoine

Recognized Firewise Community/USA

The community of Antoine became a recognized Firewise Community/USA on Oct. 8, 2007. A luncheon and recognition ceremony was held Oct. 23, 2007, in the banquet hall of Mount Magazine State Park Lodge. Accepting a plaque presented by Governor Mike beebe were Vance Teel, fire chief; Debbie Van Camp and Heston Teel.

On July 20, 2006, a meeting was held in the Antoine Community Center to organize Firewise boards in Antoine and Delight. Following the organizational meeting, the group trained to conduct risk assessments. Attending the meeting were Russell Barton, Antoine Mayor; David Hendrix, Antoine City Council member; Vance Teel, Fire Chief, and Heston Teel.

In July 2007, the Antoine Fire Department completed a Firewise mitigation project as part of their effort to receive Firewise Communities/USA recognition (2007 mitigation project photos).

Vance Teel also submitted a letter to the Arkansas Forestry Commission's Rural Fire Program in which he shared how the Firewise program has benefitted residents in Antoine and nearby Meeks Settlement.

"The Antoine Fire Department has a few firefighters from the Meeks Settlement on the fire department. Due to the Firewise program, more people from the Meeks Settlement have come forward asking to join the department. They want to learn more. The community is coming together. One resident has offered his heated work garage to house the fire truck until funding can be found to build housing for the truck. The Firewise program has brought both communities, the Meeks Settlement and Antoine, closer together. The residents of both are working together to improve the community and ensure the safety of each and every resident. ...

"I would like to say 'thank you' from the Antoine Volunteer Fire Department. The Arkansas Forestry Commission has gone above and beyond in assisting us. Mr. Billy Williams and Danny have been a lot of support for us. We can not thank them enough. We will always be ready to assist you whenever the need arises. Once again, 'thank you' for helping the Meeks Settlement and the Antoine Volunteer Fire Department. The Firewise program has helped show us places that needed attention, not only in the community, but in our equipment and in ourselves. It has brought both communities closer together and built awareness and support for the fire department."

On July 20, 2006, a meeting was held in the Antoine Community Center to organize Firewise boards in Antoine and Delight. Following the organizational meeting, the group trained to conduct risk assessments.

Attending the meeting were Russel Barton, Antoine Mayor; David Hendrix, Antoine City Council Member; Vance Teel, Antoine Fire Chief; Hesston Teel, Antoine FD; Paul Lane, Delight Alderman and mayoral candidate; Michael Delaney, Delight Fire Chief; Chris Goodson, Delight FD; Billy Williams, AFC Pike County Ranger, and David Samuel, Arkansas FireWise Coordinator.

Two other Antoine firefighters attened a portion of the meeting, but were dispatched to a drowning on the Little Missouri River.

2007 Mitigation Project