Carroll County News: Local News: Alpena gathers for fire department fish fry (10/31/12)

Alpena residents and firefighters come together Saturday at the fire department there for the department's annual fish fry and fundraiser. Photo contributed by Kora Lehman de Lehnsfeld

ALPENA -- A crowd gathered at the Alpena Fire Station last Saturday for the fire department's annual fish fry.

The Alpena Fire Department, which is staffed entirely by volunteers, serves East Carroll County from County Road 905 to the Boone County line at Denver Road.

The fire district includes the area around Holden Mountain and Osage, where a wildfire scorched 200 acres of forest and farmland in July.

The department, assisted by other local agencies and the Arkansas Forestry Commission, played a vital role in containing that blaze.

In addition to suppressing fires, the agency's trained volunteers also respond to emergency medical calls.

The work is made possible by membership fees from home owners, who as a member can avoid charges that would apply if the department had to respond to a fire on their property.

Other sources of funding are donations, grants and -- of course -- good old fashioned fried catfish.