Fire/Rescue Service

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="17d8d2c00dkelyh.jpg"> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Fire Department</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id244.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fire Department "><U><B>Articles</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id417.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pictures"><U><B>Hall Pictures</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>return to:</B></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" "><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> © <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >2004 casper704</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Fire/Rescue Service</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Meets First and Third Tues - 6:30pm </B></I><I><B>@ </B></I><I><B>Fire Station</B></I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Mailing address:</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>126 PR 7869</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Holly Lake Ranch, Texas</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>75765</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="57b8c840.jpg" border=0 width="140" height="132" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0">                               </div> <div> Fire protection and rescue service is provided by a local volunteer fire department - <I><B>Holly Lake Fire Department</B></I>. The department is manned completely by volunteers and funded through Wood County fire district taxes, grants, <B>Holly Lake Hook and Ladder Club</B> and by various fund raisers. The primary service area is approximately 50 square miles - assistance is provided to surrounding fire departments through mutual assistance on a "as needed basis". Holly Lake Fire station is located less than one mile from the main entrance to Holly Lake Ranch.</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>HLVFD: The State of the </B></div> <div> <B>Department 2007</B></div> <bR> <div> Last year was the busiest in the 35+-year existence of Holly Lake Volunteer Fire Department. The extended drought brought dry, hot conditions to our area that followed a wetter than normal fall in 2005 that increased undergrowth and vertical fuels. The result was a series of wildfires that swept the state at a record-setting pace. </div> <bR> <div> In 2006, HLVFD responded to 200 calls, including 18 structure fires, 59 brush fires, 5 vehicle fires, 12 motor vehicle accidents and 18 medical emergencies. This was an increase of nearly 25% over 2005-also a record year. The last several years have shown an annual upward trend of over 20%.</div> <bR> <div> 2007 is the first year in many that has shown a slight decrease in the number of calls. The decrease can be attributed to the heavier than normal rainfall that has greatly reduced the fire risk. Fire professionals in the state are concerned that the heavy rainfall has produced thick undergrowth that will result in a very severe wildfire risk when drought conditions return.</div> <bR> <div> While the number of fire calls has declined in 2007, other emergencies have increased. We have seen a marked increase in motor vehicle accidents and medical emergencies this year. As a result, the overall response pace for 2007 is only slightly behind last year and if hot, dry weather returns this fall, we may well have another record year.</div> <bR> <div> HLVFD elected a new Fire Chief this year--Red Bailey. Red is a career firefighter and former Fire Chief /Fire Marshal from Colleyville, Texas. He is only the 7th Fire Chief in department history and was the training officer for the department for the past few years.</div> <bR> <div> Dan Dolezal is the Assistant Chief. Dan is a retired Navy Master Chief with extended training and leadership skills. Vic Lee was promoted to Battalion Chief over Fire Suppression and Jerry Hibbs was promoted to Battalion Chief over Rescue and Support. Vic Lee, a Certified Level II Instructor, is also the department's Certification Coordinator. </div> <bR> <div> Training continues to be at the forefront of the department's focus. Through August of this year, the department has logged 3,565 man-hours of training compared to 2500 man-hours logged in all of 2006 and 2500 man-hours in all of 2005. To date, 15 firefighters have attained Basic Certification and 2 have Advanced Certification and at least 4 are close to receiving their Intermediate Certification. </div> <bR> <div> HLVFD currently has two Licensed Vocational Nurses, one Paramedic and 4 Certified Emergency Care Attendants (ECA). Eleven firefighters have completed First Responder training this year and are eligible to take the state certification exam. HLVFD now has eighteen firefighters trained at the First Responder (ECA) level or higher. </div> <bR> <div> HLVFD is offering basic CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation), AED (Automatic Electronic Defibrillation) and First Aid classes to the community. Classes will be taught by Lt. Greg Hass, LVN at the Holly Fire Hall on the fourth Tuesday of each month, 6 pm to 10 pm. Medic First Aid International accredits the classes and students will receive a 2-year certification. A fee of $40 will be charged. Interested students can sign up for the classes at hlvfd@dpcomm.net or gshass@hotmail.com or call the Holly Lake Volunteer Fire Department (903-769-4341) or Lt. Greg Hass (903-769-9947).</div> <bR> <div> The department currently has 9 vehicles including a $200,000 engine/pumper, two $140,000 tanker trucks, and a fast-attack rescue vehicle. We have recently purchased a new brush truck (over $50,000). With the new brush tuck, 4 of our vehicles are relatively new, 5 of them are old and some very old. This requires planning and forethought on our part and your continued support makes that job easier. </div> <bR> <div> The department completed a new multi-purpose facility last year allowing us to host several community and training events. We have also been approved as an official Red Cross Shelter. Saturday Night Bingo and the monthly Hook and Ladder meetings are held in the new Fire Hall. In addition the Fire Hall has hosted several fund-raising events including the Christmas Magic Waffle Breakfast and the Hook and Ladder Beans and Rice Dinner. The building is available for private parties for $200 per 8 hours and public events for $50 per 8 hours.</div> <bR> <div> We have established goals and plans for continued improvement in all of the areas mentioned. One of our goals is for ISO to conduct a review of our department. We currently hold a rating of 6/9-a rating of 6 in areas within 1000 feet of fire hydrants and 9 in the remainder of our district within 5 miles of the station. This is largely based on the accessibility of water. In rural urban/wildland areas, fire hydrants are not available.  Therefore we carry our water with us-hence the three tanker trucks that carry a combined 7000 gallons of water. We think, with the improvement in equipment and training that a combined rating of 5 is within our grasp. A 5 rating for a volunteer fire department in an area without fire hydrants where tanker water shuttle is employed is extremely good. It would benefit the community in improved service, increased protection and could lower homeowner insurance premiums.</div> <bR> <div> We continue to have needs as a department. Community support continues to be and will always be critical to our mission-not only financial support but also manpower. The department currently has 24 firefighters. Due to the all-volunteer status of the department, we average about 15 firefighters on any one call. We have room in the department for a total of 35 firefighters and welcome anyone, man or woman, ages 18 to 70 to join the department. Everyone does not fight fire. There are many support rolls that need to be filled and we offer training scholarships. If you have an interest, please visit the department on our first or third Tuesday meetings at 6:30 p.m. If you are only curious, please come and sit in on a meeting.</div> <bR> <div> All the leadership and training in the world would be moot without adequate equipment. This is where community involvement is critically important. Holly Lake homeowners and service clubs have poured out their support to the department and we applaud you and thank you for that support. We assure you that the department has been and continues to be fiscally responsible with your support. We have aggressively pursued government grants that resulted in tremendous improvements in our apparatus and equipment and our aggressive pursuit of grants continues.</div> <bR> <div> The Wood County Emergency Services District contributes $70,000 annually to the department but with a budget of $140,000 annually, community donations are essential. Hook and Ladder is a critical part of our support. Last year Holly Hook and Ladder and Saturday Night Bingo donated over $30,000 to the department. Hook and Ladder meets on the second Tuesday of each month for fellowship and a potluck dinner at the Fire Hall at 6:00 p.m. If you have not received a membership application in the mail, please call the station at 903-769-4341 and leave your name and phone number and we'll contact you. Hook and Ladder has over 800 current members and membership is open to everyone.</div> <bR> <div> Our service load continues to increase. Every call requires fuel and equipment. The cost of fuel has doubled in recent years and community support is crucial. Please join this wonderful community effort.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>