Grape Creek Volunteer Fire Department Receives Life-Saving Equipment

Deputy Fire Chief and EMS Coordinator Jose Rivera and Jered Thomason, EMT, Firefighter, and Public information Officer, along with representatives of the Grape Creek Volunteer Fire Department, have a lot to be thankful for.  Wednesday afternoon, at the Foster Communications Coliseum, they proudly stood in front of their latest additions to the department during a press conference that showcased their new "Rescue Response Unit."  

The GCVFD has been providing fire suppression and emergency medical services to the citizens of Tom Green County since April 15, 1972. The late Captains Bill Murphy, Fire Chief Dale Williams, and Deputy Fire Chief Mike Figley are legendary in the community as they were the original founding members. They paved the way, setting the standard for all of the volunteers to follow, and their guidance and legacy still lives on today.  

It was only in the last couple of years the department has applied for and received their 501c3 non-profit certification, and have now been applying for grants for much needed equipment. Recently, the Department's brand new truck was purchased with a grant through the San Angelo Area foundation, and put into service. Department officials initially submitted their grant application in February 2015, requesting $38,990 to go towards the purchase of a new EMS rescue vehicle to replace the Fire Department's 20 year old one.  On May 21, 2015, GCVFD officials received word of approval and immediately contacted the rescue vehicle company to start the process of ordering and building the vehicle. It was received in December.  

The San Angelo Area Foundation is a community foundation whose mission is to "build a legacy of philanthropy by attracting and prudently managing endowed gifts in order to match donor interests with community needs of the area." Matt Lewis, President and CEO of the San Angelo Area foundation, and Carmen Dusek, Grant Committee Chairperson, were present today to receive a plaque as a token of appreciation on behalf of the GCVFD.

Lewis said, "We get about 30 to 40 applications a year from 501c3 non-profit organizations in this area looking for assistance. Directors are required to make judgments based on relative need and potential impact. Each application is reviewed several times and this organization was found to be deserving of the funding." 

To complete the "Rescue Response Unit," the department was also in need of the equipment to go with it. Deputy Chief Rivera stated, "This initial grant reward was the catalyst we needed to excite and motivate the community to help us purchase our first ever brand new set of extrication tools."

Rivera also said prior to this donation, firefighters didn't have any and had to rely on other departments, such as San Angelo, to provide the "jaws of life."

"During the ice storms, we had an incident to where the county was tied up and we realized our need to be equipped as well," added Rivera. 

Because of that need, the department worked hard to fill it. In just two months, volunteers in Grape Creek raised over $32,000.

"This funding enabled us to purchase a complete new set of extrication tools for $22,000 and a brand new set of vehicle stabilization tools for $10,000," said Rivera. Now the Department's "rescue response unit is complete." 

When Deputy Fire Chief Rivera was asked how these donations make him feel personally, he said, "That was the most money ever raised in our department's history in such a short amount of time; we didn't expect that. I was thinking it was going to take a year or two."

Thomasen added, "We sent out letters, met with donors, started a gofundme page saying this is what we have and this is what we need, and they came through for us. We are so lucky to have this equipment in our area now; it really is a life saving tool."

Recently, the GCVFD had area training where officials invited other volunteer fire departments to come out and train on these new tools.  

 

 

"We had a good turnout from departments like Ozona and Big Lake," said Rivera. "The tools are mobile, so if there is a wreck in a ravine, you can pick these tools up and take them down to the site, whereas other trucks have the equipment to where you have to take the truck in. The hoses are 50' long and the generator is the top of the line."  

Over the last few years, the chief stated the Department has had the need for this type of equipment every few months because they cover Highway 87 North, 2288, and 2015, which is a big highway. There are a lot of accidents.

Also, the water situation at times is difficult. In their county, there's not very many fire hydrants so when they are responsible for covering 13,000 people, averaging 240 emergency calls per year, and there's 220 square miles involved, they are wanting to buy a new water tanker.

"There are times, with a 3,000 gallon container, we are called out to a fire and within 5 minutes, we are out of water and have to rely on other Volunteer Fire Departments to show up, which might take 30 or 40 minutes," said Chief Rivera.

The Grape Creek Volunteer Fire Department is a recognized and licensed EMS First Responder Organization through the Texas Department of State Health Services. The chief said they are also hoping to get a new fire station as they are outgrowing the current one. The original fire station was built in 1972 by volunteers. They do have some grants pending right now for other needs as well.  

"Grape Creek Volunteer Fire Department is based just North of San Angelo, and we're funded mainly through donations. We receive a small contribution through the county every year, and that helps with fuel, electricity, insurance etc.," said Rivera. "We get paid by helping people out in their time of need."

In addition to thanking the San Angelo Area Foundation, and Grape Creek community, the Grape Creek Volunteer Fire Department also thanked George Sevier and his team at Defender Supply for building such a beautiful truck.

Rivera encourages everyone to help out their Volunteer Fire Departments, and if anyone is needing more information, please find them on social media at  www.facebook.com/GrapeCreekVFD.