Volunteer fire departments giving extra help in Texas wildfires

Departments hope public will help replenish already stressed budgets to purchase fuel, replace repair equipment, provide supplies

April 21, 2011 05:44 AM

By Judith McGinnis
The Times Record News

WICHITA FALLS, Texas — Volunteer fire departments and emergency support agencies have stepped up to serve areas of North Texas affected by wildfires that began Friday and continue to burn around the region. Now they hope the public will help replenish already stressed budgets with donations that will purchase fuel, replace and repair equipment and provide supplies.

The Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation has announced an extra grant cycle for its Rural Fire Department Fund.

“Our immediate focus is on the wildfires and the tremendous work being done by VFDs across North Texas and Southern Oklahoma,” said Teresa Caves with the foundation. “We’re adding this cycle to address crucial needs.”

The following counties qualify for the emergency grant cycle: In Texas, Archer, Baylor, Childress, Clay, Cottle, Foard, Haskell, Hardeman, Jack, King, Knox, Montague, Stonewall, Throckmorton, Young, Wichita, Wilbarger and Wise. In Oklahoma, Comanche, Cotton, Jackson, Jefferson, Stephens and Tillman counties.

To apply, VFDs need only go to the Community Foundation’s website, www.wfacf.org and click on “Rural Fire Department Grants.” Those interested in donating to the RFD Fund can go to the same website and click on “donate” to make a gift by credit card. Checks may be mailed to WFACF-Rural Fire Department Fund, 807 Eighth St., Suite 750, Wichita Falls, Texas 76301. Volunteers for the North Central Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross have been assisting firefighters and those affected by wildfires since Friday. Now focusing on Palo Pinto County, director Katrina Farmer says the agency has been working with local churches to providemeals. Volunteers have put in more than 1,040 hours and are waiting for the green light to return to Jack and Young counties to begin disaster assessments.

“Tuesday a firefighter from Montana told us he wanted to wrap his arms around all the folks from Wichita Falls, the hospitality had meant so much to them,” she said. Cash donations will go the furthest to help now, Farmer said, both to provide water and food for firefighters and assist families who have lost their homes. She says so far only three families have contacted the Red Cross for help with clothing, lodging and food.

“We’re here for anyone who needs us,” she said. “Faith Mission is working with our referrals for clothing and Interfaith Ministries is helping people with prescriptions, hearing aids and glasses.” These services must come through Red Cross referrals.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation may mail or drop off checks to the Red Cross office at 1809 Seymour Highway, Wichita Falls, Texas 76301 or call 940-322-8686.

Staff and volunteers for the Salvation Army are currently providing drinking water and meals to firefighters working in and around Eastland, Texas; they did the same last week when fires burned around the Wichita Falls area.

“Our biggest need right now is monetary donations,” said SalvationArmy Capt. Bill Shafer. “So far we’re not receiving many requests from people who have lost their homes or possessions the fires.”