Two Lincoln County volunteer fire departments are trying toexpand their operations and are looking for some community helpwith the efforts.

Clifford Galey, volunteer firefighter association president,said the Bogue Chitto and Zetus departments are wanting to buildsatellite fire stations in their coverage areas. The Bogue Chittosatellite would be located at the District 4 county barn and thesecond Zetus station would be put on Gum Grove Road betweenJackson-Liberty Road and Sunflower Lane.

“Basically, what this will do is give them two stations withtrucks to better serve the people,” Galey said. “We have the trucksand we’re ready to put them at the stations. We just don’t have themoney to build the buildings.”

Sedgie Mercir, Bogue Chitto VFD chief, said his and the Zetusdepartment are seeking financial help with the stationprojects.

“We’re asking for help,” Mercir said. “We can’t afford abuilding and we’re wanting to help the people of thecommunity.”

Fire officials have gotten some preliminary cost estimates.

“We’re looking in the neighborhood of $8,000-$12,000 apiece asfar as what it’ll cost us,” Galey said.

With roughly 120 square miles, the Bogue Chitto department’scoverage area is among the county’s largest. The Zetus departmenthas an estimated 60 square miles to cover.

Mercir expected having a satellite would greatly help in theArlington and Gum Grove areas. Galey said the second stations wouldconsiderably improve response time.

“We’re trying to get trucks located to help residents and lowerfire insurance rates,” Galey said. “That’s our ultimate goal.”

Galey said the Bogue Chitto VFD and the county would have amutual aid agreement to allow the department to put its vehiclesand equipment on the county barn property. A private individual hasdonated approximately one acre to house the Zetus satellitestation, with the property and improvements going back to thelandowner if it ever ceases fire station operations, Galeysaid.

Galey said the departments hope to start work on the satellitefacilities as soon as possible. Anyone interested in contributingto station construction efforts can contact Galey at the CivilDefense office.

“As soon as we get enough funds to put up a building, we’reready to go,” Galey said.