Potts Camp Fire and Rescue reorganized

Potts Camp’s volunteer fire department was organized December 16, 2024, as one of 9 volunteer county fire departments. It was recently reorganized under one umbrella under the name Potts Camp Fire and Rescue, said fire chief Cory Baine.

Baine and alderman Kevin Houston reported to the board of supervisors on activity since January, 2025.

A Homeland Security grant of $20,000 will help buy 10 hand-held radios. State Farm provided a grant of $10,000. The radios will belong to Potts Camp, he said.

Baine said the department has responded to about 100 calls this year and operates with about 26 volunteer members.

The department has a rescue truck, three fire engines and a tanker truck.

Baine said a fire hydrant that is not working at Station 2 will be repaired by Marshall County.

In other business at the September 15 meeting of the board of supervisors, Rev. R.J. Wilson and Annette Mitchell, of the Higdon Road community, appeared before the board to seek a solution to speeding on Higdon Road that is endangering residents trying to enter the road.

Construction of two bridges on Old Highway 178 by the Mississippi Department of Transportation is causing traffic to be rerouted to Higdon and on through to Holly Springs, the residents said.

“It’s turning into a racetrack,” Wilson said.

People are driving from 70 to 80 miles an hour and passing each other on double lines, he said.

“It’s a dangerous situation for families,” he said. “What can we do?” District 5 supervisor Ronnie O’Neil Bennett said speed limit signs are up coming and going, one at Carpenter Road and one at the City limits.

“I’m in a flat going out of a turn,” Mitchell said.

She said she uses her turn signal going out, but drivers don’t seem to care. It is especially dangerous in mornings and when drivers are returning from work in the evenings, she said.

Bennett said Highway 178 has been closed because of bridge replacements so drivers are detouring through Higdon. The county cannot set up radar and can’t install speed bumps, either, because they can cause accidents.

“I don’t know what else to do but get a state trooper,” he said. “The state highway is pushing the traffic on county roads because they won’t hurry up and fix the bridges.”

Mitchell asked for a speed limit sign on Higdon near her house.

“It’s inside the city limits,” Bennett said.

“There’s no stripping on the road,” Mitchell said.

“If you would put a sign at 1241, I would be open if the sheriff pulled up in my driveway,” she said. “You could see them put the (blue) lights on and then see if that would help.”

Sheriff Kenny Dickerson, seated in the boardroom, said he can help.

“Safety is number one,” Bennett said. “I’m ready for these bridges to be installed to take the pressure off Higdon.”