About Us
- Redings Mill Fire Protection District
BUILT BY THE COMMUNITY
Founded in 1978, they provide fire suppression, EMS, rescue, and hazmat responses for 110 square miles of rural and suburban areas in Newton County, Missouri. They are a combination department comprised of 20 paid and 6 part-time responders. They serve eight villages and townships with a combined population of 2,500. The remainder of their jurisdiction is unincorporated, with an estimated population of 12,500. This area is part of the Joplin, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has an estimated population of 184,491. Located on the western edge of the Ozarks, our district lines meet those of Kansas and Oklahoma. We have auto and mutual aid agreements with 13 neighboring jurisdictions in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas, as well as statewide mutual aid in Missouri.
Neighbors protecting neighbors for nearly five decades.
1978
YEAR ESTABLISHED
Serving our community for nearly five decades.
110
Square
Miles
Protecting communities throughout Newton County.
1500+
ANNUAL RESPONSES
Responding to more than 1,500 calls each year.
5
FIRE STATIONS
Strategically positioned throughout the fire district.
13
Mutual Aid Partners
Partnering with agencies across the three-state region.
PROTECTING WHAT MATTERS MOST
Our mission guides every response, every training exercise, and every effort to protect the people, property, and communities we serve.
Our Mission
Redings Mill Fire Protection District is to improve the quality of life within the boundaries of their district by minimizing the devastating effects of fire, hazardous material release, and natural and artificial disasters.
OUR HISTORY
From volunteer beginnings to a modern fire district, our history reflects decades of service, growth, and community.
1978
Department operated with 100% volunteer firefighters.
1986
Fire Chief became the first paid position.
1996
First full-time firefighters hired; Station 1 staffed around the clock.
2006
Full-time staffing increased to four firefighters per shift.
2018
Full-time staffing increased to six firefighters per shift, with a second station staffed full-time.
- SERVICE AREA
PROTECTING 110 SQUARE MILES
RMFPD serves five districts across approximately 110 square miles of Newton County, providing emergency response to rural communities, neighborhoods, businesses, and roadways.
- District 1: Central Service Area
- District 2: Eastern Service Area
- District 3: Southwest Service Area
- District 4: South-Central Service Area
- District 5: Northwest Service Area
MEET OUR TEAM
Meet the dedicated professionals who lead, support, and serve Redings Mill Fire Protection District and the communities we protect.
Steven Coats
Fire Chief Steven Coats is responsible for overall management of Redings Mill Fire District including department facilities, apparatus, personnel management, as well as strategic planning and budgeting.
Deputy Chief
Ronnie Metcalf
Deputy Chief Ronnie Metcalf supports department operations, personnel, and emergency response while assisting with the day-to-day management of the district.
Real Stories from Our Community
Hear from the people we serve and learn how RMFPD’s commitment, professionalism, and care make a difference when our community needs us.
Payton Sloan
They are very kind and was quick to our house when our field caught fire and minimized the damage
Briannetta Birdsong
We as a family would like to thank yall for allowing us to have my dads memorial in your building …. thank yall so very much…