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The Novinger Community Volunteer Fire Department and Adair County Rural Fire District #1 (Northern) are two of the oldest area fire departments. Both have a rich history of dedicated service to their members. Both Departments are membership departments therefore our funding comes from annual membership dues and fund raising activities. For several years both departments operated as separate departments, only providing mutual aid to each other. In 2000 both fire chiefs saw the need for combining the operations of the two departments.

While two boards supervise each department, both departments operate emergency scenes as one department. This has allowed Novinger/Northern to become one of the strongest volunteer fire departments in the area. Today Novinger / Northern operate out of two stations. One station is located in Novinger and the other located north of Kirksville just off Highway 63. Together they operate 3 engine companies, 2 rescue squads, 2 brush squads, and 4 tankers. They also have support equipment available to the rest of the county.