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PELAHATCHIE FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Pelahatchie Volunteer Fire Department is an all volunteer fire department and was founded in 1952.
We pride ourselves on being public servants in our community. During the last 14 years we have managed
to obtain two fire trucks through the Assistance to FireFighters grant program and we have also lowered the
fire insurance rating to a Class 6 which means lower insurance premiums for our businesses and homeowners.
We not only provide fire response but emergency medical care as well.
Fire
Karl
Chief
VanHorn
Why did you decide to be
a fireman?
I’ve been around the fire service since I was a
kid growing up in Richland. My oldest brother
was the first full time firefighter for the City of
Richland and my dad and other two brothers
were volunteer firefighters for the City of
Richland. I have always wanted to follow in
my dad’s footsteps and this seemed to have
been my calling.
How long have you been with the
Pelahatchie Fire Department?
Almost 14 years.
Tell us about your family.
I’m married and have a 23-year-old daughter
that works as a dispatcher for another agency.
What is the toughest thing you
have experienced in your job?
One of the toughest things that I have had to
do was make the death notification to a family
that had just lost one of their loved ones.
Share some things you enjoy doing
in your spare time.
I like the mountains and just getting away and
relaxing. I try to do a little woodworking when
I have some free time.
What are three things on your
bucket list?
I really haven’t had a bucket list because I
usually set out to accomplish whatever it is
that I set my mind to.
Who is someone you admire
and why?
I have several. But when it comes to the fire
department, Chief Alan Brunacini of the
Phoenix Fire Department, who has since
passed away, is at the top. He was a simple
person but he always said that outstanding
customer service must be a priority throughout
the fire service. He believed civilians
would always remember their interactions
with firefighters and therefore every firefighter
must follow the ‘Golden Rule’ and treat others
as they would want to be treated. That’s what
I ask every member to do—to treat every
person that they come in contact with that way.
If you could give one piece
of advice to a young person,
what would it be?
Get involved in your community. It all goes
back to helping your neighbor in a time of
need.
What is your favorite thing about
Pelahatchie?
The teamwork that we have with the police
department and the public works department.
When something needs to be accomplished
and we need a few extra hands, we can rely
on each other to get it done. Sometimes you
don’t see that in other communities.
What is your favorite thing
about Rankin County?
That you can do all your business in Rankin
County and feel safe. Our fire departments,
police departments and sheriff’s department,
and Pafford EMS is, hands down, the best in
the business. I contribute the success of these
departments to the leadership they have in
place. Everyone in Rankin County has made
a commitment to public safety and it shows
when you see these men and women working
side by side, regardless if it’s their job or not.
That’s what makes a great county to live in.
Hometown RANKIN • 105