My name is George Dempsey, I am blessed to be president of the Pine-Bardley Volunteer Fire Department. Since 1987, we have been the sole means of fire protection for 200 square miles of the poorest part of Missouri. We help folks in parts of three counties that call the Mark Twain National Forest their home. Our few members are the tip of the spear for fires on private property, State of Missouri Conservation land and U.S. Forest Service land. Typically we are there alone for the first hour or two. 

     We are NOT taxpayer supported like in the towns and cities. Our income comes from fundraisers and the yearly dues of $30 that we charge our one hundred plus members. We have always done more with less, our trucks are much older than most volunteer fire departments, our newest truck is a 1998 GMC brushtruck.  Fire Chief Jim Clayton is a real blessing, doing all the mechanical work on our trucks. Typically we fight house, forest and grass fires with two to ten volunteers. Thankfully we get as well as give help to our neighboring fire departments when needed. For thirty years we have all worked together as neighbors to keep each other safe. 

  Now we are being sued for our land and $25000 plus legal fees because they disputed ten feet of a thirty year old fence.  Our neighbor had to go clear across the state to get a real big city lawyer from Branson to come to our little county.  In 1987 our lot was donated by a previous owner of their parcel for use as a firehouse. If successful invalidating our 30 year old deed, this neighbor would profit while all the families in our 200 sq. mile district would be left without any fire protection. This would be a very dangerous situation for all of us that live here in the woods.    Please help us in our battle to continue helping our neighbors by giving whatever you can to fight off this suit. Any money not used for legal fees will be used to upgrade our trucks or equipment. We are a tax deductible non-profit.  

Thank you and God bless you.