March 2007

This month brought increased activityfor us at the ESS. Went to Rio Vista and collected some old equipment for the Fiered Department in Mexico.  We went to the Bono Fire Department Chili Supper and had some really good chili. This event is always held in March and a really fun time. We saw a bunch of friends and were well fed. I do recommend that everybody do this at least once.  At the end of the month we responded to a structure fire in Liberty on Cross Timbers road at this time we found out that there is more than one Cross Timbers.  We were out with Liberty Chapel ,Grandview and Rio Vista was a wet night we did not get back to the station until 2:30 am. The following night we responded to another structure fire this time in Keene, we only thought the Liberty Chapel fire was wet. I can not remember being that wet at a fire. We were on the scene with Keene, Alvarado, Briaroaks and Joshua. That night an old friend came back home. Welcome back to Richard Cox of Joshua. He returned after three years with Granbury.  March 31st Briaroaks held their annual Fish Fry I went to visit my friends and get me a great big plate of fish, hush puppies and fixins another must do in Johnson County.  Finally this month marks the start of snack collecting for burn camp. I am collecting individually wrapped snacks to give to kids at camp. Any donation would be greatly appreciated.

January 2007

The month of January only saw us responding to a illegal dump fire with Mid-North Fire Department.

2006 Summary

the year 2006 marks our 15th year of service to the emergency services of Johnson County. It also  brought many changes and challenges to he ESS. 

1. In January of 2006 while  at a structure fire response with Midnorth Fire Department , I was told by the Chief the the Johnson County Emergency Services District #1 took away our $6,000 budget.  They did not even notify us of the pending cut.

2.Even with the loss of funding from the ESD, we answered a total of 38 alarms this year( up about 10%) without missing a single call. This was done  with some financial  help from a lot of our friends( Bono Fire Department, Alvarado Fire Department, Joshua Fire Department, Briaroaks Fire Department, Liberty Chapel Fire Department, Crowley Fire Department and Sommerville county Fire Department just to name a few)

3. We answered a record number of calls in July of 2006. We answered 14 calls

4. The biggest calls for the year were a 18 wheeler load of Hay that burned on Interstate 35W, on that same call we responded to a 10 vehicle collision.  We also spent 2 days on a missing child call that by the grace of God was found safely.  Then in the cold of December we responded to a mobile home manufacturing plant in Burleson we Rehab over 100 firefighters.  Then we finished the year with our third missing person call.

5. Without  funding from the cESD, fundraising became  a larger priority. We taught a large number of CPR and First Aid classes and concentrated on old standby  methods as well. Along with that we started a Balloon twisting for birthday parties and other civic function.

6. We were able to purchase a new AED this year as well as horse trade for the newer Squad 88.

7. 2006 also saw the passing of Battalion Chief Charles Gill of the Joshua Fire Department. He was not only a strong support person and leader for Joshua FD he  often backed us up at fires where we needed assistance.

8. This year also brought about the closing of the Nolan Volunteer Fire Department  too.

9.  Goals and new project were set for 2007 they are as follows:   

    A. Cultivate new funding sources and continue to develop and refine our proven methods .

    B. Develop a new recruitment campaign.

    C. Get Squad 88 ready for official service as our air truck.

With the year 2006 behind us we are  able to look back upon the challenges we faced and overcome  with the help of our friends and turn toward 2007 with determination and hope.