RIO BRAVO, Texas — An 18-year-old volunteer firefighter crashed an apparatus after being ordered to drive it to the scene of a fire.
Pro8News reported that the driver of the truck does not have his driver’s license — something the chief says is legal in Texas.
“As far as I know in the state of Texas a volunteer can drive to the scene if it’s an emergency,” Chief Julio Gonzales said. “Only to the scene. After that, a licensed driver will drive the truck back.”
According to Chief Gonzalez, the station was short staffed and the 18-year old volunteer was the only one left at the station. He needed the water tanker to help fight the fire and asked his volunteer to bring it, according to the report.
“It wasn’t the first time he drove the truck, there’s training in place and certifications. I’m very disciplined with my guys,” he said.
Mauro Saucedo, another volunteer firefighter at the station, vouched for the 18-year-old.
“He’s a good volunteer,” firefighter Saucedo said. “People don’t know what happened and I wish people would stop the rumors, but you can’t stop them.”
Chief Gonzales said the department plans to apply for grants to buy a new truck.