By J.R. Ortega
The Victoria Advocate
TIVOLI, Texas — A fire that displaced a Tivoli family last week has rekindled a second plea for a pumper truck from the unincorporated community's volunteer fire department.
Last Tuesday, the idea got support from Refugio County commissioners when they voted unanimously to seek bids on a the truck after the Tovar family lost its home, said Rene Mascorro, county judge.
"The way the court voted, it's very favorable we would complete the purchase of the truck one way or another," Mascorro said.
Tivoli has only two brush trucks capable of pumping 300 gallons per minute, said Fire Chief Arnulfo Perez.
The volunteer fire department needs better equipment to protect the community, Perez said.
The current equipment isn't well suited to fight a house fire, Perez said.
Perez has been chief for the past 20 years and has seen two house fires in the past eight years, he said.
Unfortunately, he said, the first plea did not go through, and it took a family to lose their home to get the ball rolling.
In June 2006, Mascorro proposed purchasing the pumper truck, which costs about $200,000, Mascorro said.
The proposal was understood by several commissioners but rejected because of the debt it would cause the county, he added.
Tivoli is 30 to 45 minutes away from emergency personnel with adequate equipment, Perez said.
Perez has helped house the family free of rent, and the fire department is planning a benefit barbecue during the first week of December, he said.
"Had we been reactive to the problem earlier, maybe this family would not have lost their home," Mascorro said.
Copyright 2009 Victoria Advocate 
