By ELIZABETH CAMPBELL
Fort Worth Star Telegram (Texas)
The heavy wildfire season has already taken a toll on rural firefighters and fire departments.
Now it’s taking a toll on their pocketbooks.
Fuel costs, equipment repair and other expenses are mounting for rural departments that have been battling grass fires for weeks on thousands of acres in North Texas. That, in turn, is quickly draining department budgets, including those of volunteer fire departments that rely mostly on donations.
“It’s tough on us right now,” said Roger Deeds, Hood County fire marshal.
In response, Wise County has planned a fire relief fund-raiser to offset costs to the county’s 17 volunteer fire departments. In other areas, officials are calling attention to their annual fund-raisers, saying donations are sorely needed this year.
Some, such as Lillian fire department in Johnson County, say they have enough money to get by. But others are struggling:
In Cottondale, in southern Wise County, fire officials have maxed out an $800 credit card on fuel.
At the Mid-North Johnson County volunteer fire department, officials have put off repairing a fire truck.
Commissioners in Parker County recently voted to give more money to each of the county’s 21 volunteer fire departments.
Like many volunteer fire departments, Cottondale isn’t broke, said fire chief Alan Wilson. But he said there could be serious financial trouble if these conditions last much longer.
The department typically spends $800 a month during the winter. In December, however, the department spent $10,000 to buy fuel and repair broken equipment, including a busted engine and two destroyed radios.
The department does have new equipment, but the trucks used to fight grass fires are older and break down more often, Wilson said.
Cottondale is one of the Wise County departments that will benefit from a special fund-raising dinner at 6:30 p.m. today at the Decatur Civic Center. The event will include a silent auction featuring a hunting trip and a raffle for a big-screen television.
Tanya Davis, a Wise County extension agent who is helping to coordinate the event, said the community response has been tremendous. The United Way of Wise County will contribute $17,000, she said.
“We’d love to see $50,000 raised for the volunteer departments,” she said.
State agencies can also help with fuel and funding for maintenance and other needs, officials said.
The Texas Department of Transportation can provide fuel to volunteer departments, but only if there is need while a fire is burning, said spokesman Michael Peters. The Texas Forest Service, meanwhile, provides grants for clothing and money for equipment maintenance, spokeswoman Traci Weaver said.
Although the Mid-North fire department doesn’t have a fund-raising event planned, it does need money, said fire chief Lance Trout.
The department covers 80 mostly residential square miles south of Benbrook and Fort Worth.
Since December, the department has spent $5,000 more than expected to fight grass fires that covered large areas with rough terrain.
One truck needs repairs, but the department can’t afford the $1,000 cost, Trout said. The department has a $45,000 budget from an emergency service district that levies a tax. All other funding comes from grants and handouts, he said.
“It’s getting more and more difficult to afford to get out there and help your neighbors,” said Trout, who noted that firefighters stand on roadsides with helmets and boots in hand to raise money.
In Parker County, County Judge Mark Riley said the fire budget is about $1 million, “but it’s not enough.”
“We have a lot of wonderful people moving out here from the city; they are not accustomed to [donating],” he said. “In rural counties, volunteer departments are important. Go eat the barbecue or chili and write a check to your department.”
Hood County fire marshal Roger Deeds said there are no fund-raisers planned for its nine fire departments, but they may be needed soon.
Deeds said he transferred money from some department funds to pay for equipment such as new hoses, and is asking for more from county commissioners.
“The money isn’t going to last because of the amount of calls we are getting,” he said.