By Adam Rollins, Record Staff Writer
In a great example of poor timing, Wright City firefighters were in the middle of a ceremony to recognize nine new or longtime staff members when the department was called to action.The call came during a pinning ceremony at the Wright City firehouse Thursday evening for six who were recently hired as career firefighters. The ceremony also recognized two firefighters for 10 years of service and one for receiving a promotion to the rank of lieutenant.Chief Ron MacKnight had just pinned a badge on one of the new firefighters during the ceremony attended by officials and family. Then radios blared in the firehouse garage where they were gathered, requesting response to a large brush fire just across the southern boundary of Lincoln County.The firefighters rushed onto trucks and headed to a wooded property off of Bell Road and Country Farm Road, putting bunker gear over polyester pants, some still in their dress shirts.The firefighters joined two small crews of Warrenton and Wright City responders already controlling the worst of the blaze and protecting a nearby home under construction.It wasn’t the first call for Cody West, Brian Stone, Jason Clubb, Jason Pelton, Keith Terry and Scott Sateia, who all were brought into career positions in February.Assistant Chief Josh Riebe said the men have years of firefighting experience, and four of them previously worked as volunteers with the Wright City Fire Protection District.The new hires will allow the fire department to staff four firefighters on each shift 24/7, Riebe said. Previously, the department had as few as two firefighters on a shift, he said.Capt. Scot Gibson and firefighter Jesse McCoy received 10-year pins during the Thursday ceremony, and Jewett Ellis was promoted from firefighter to lieutenant. All responded to the fire that evening.At the wooded property, smoke and heat filled the trees as the fire burned through dry underbrush, despite recent rain. Riebe said the fire started from a property owner doing a controlled burn.“People don’t realize, even after it rains, that top layer (of leaves) dries out fast,” Riebe said.Anyone planning to do a burn should call their county dispatch center for a burn permit, Riebe said.Wright City firefighters search for pockets of embers to douse after controlling a woodland fire near Bell Road in Lincoln County on Thursday, April 13. From left, are Cody West, Kevin Hakenewerth, Brian Stone and Jason Clubb. Record photo/ Adam Rollins.
