January 2008

MVFD's Final Call statistics for 2007 are:

November 2007

On November 6, Voters in ESD #5's area voted to approve the implementation of a $.01 sales tax for goods sold within the Emergency Services District. It is unknown what additional income will be received by the ESD however the additional funds will help pay for personnel, equipment and apparatus for the district. MVFD also received notification that we were awarded a $40,000 grant from the Texas Forest Service to use toward the replacement of our oldest tanker.

August 2007

MVFD received a phone call from Congressman Doggett's office on August 15th that we have been awarded a 2007 Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighter Grant worth approximately $68,000. This grant will be utilized to screen our firefighters for medical conditions which might lead to an injury during emergency operations. Fitness physicals, immunizations, cardiac screening, nutrition evaluation, fitness equipment and personal protective equipment for all members was included in this grant request.

January 2007

MVFD was awarded a Department of Homeland Security Grant for the 2006 calendar year. This grant award of over $155,000 will be used towards traffic pre-emption systems in our area, bunker gear replacements, and SCBA emergency transfill hose kits.

October 2006

Squad 506 placed in service! MVFD recently sold Brush 502 and replaced it with a new Wildland Interface Engine. This unit will not only serve as a brush truck but also a reserve engine for the district. MVFD was not receiving credit for a reserve engine and now with this multi-function truck this will be possible. The unit has been placed at Station 506 in the Chaparall park area due to its wildland interface areas with many homes and open lands that are prone to quick moving fires. Squad 506 is equipped with a 500gpm pump, a 250gpm remote start auxilliary pump, remote turret nozzle, airpacks, and storage.

September 2005

Manchaca Fire/Rescue recently acquired a new piece of apparatus to replace Engine 502. Engine 502 will be moved to Station 506 and Engine 506 will be sold. The replacement engine is a 1999 Quality 6man cab, 1500gpm pump and 750gallons of water. The engine was built around the same time frame that Engine 503 was built.

Manchaca recently lost one of the founding fathers of the organization. Chief Randolph Walker help organize the Manchaca Volunteer Fire Department in 1968 and became its' first chief. He served as Fire Chief for 27 years and retired in 1995. Chief Walker was instrumental in establishing and building the Manchaca Volunteer Fire Department to what it is today. Chief Walker was honored with a full fire service funeral and we will miss his inspiration and devotion to the Manchaca community.

The Department of Homeland Security recently announced that our department will receive funding for firefighter safety and operations in the amount of $32,500. The grant will be used to purchase safety vests, safety cones, retro-reflective striping, backup cameras and arrow sticks for the large apparatus and NFPA 1999 compliant jackets for our most active responders.

Progress is being made on the planning of a new fire station in the area of Shady Hollow. The architects, fire department and Shady Hollow Municipal Utility District have been meeting quite often to discuss the requirements and layout of the station.

May 2005

Manchaca Fire/Rescue complete its first ECA and EMT class which was held in house. The department hired the first full time Asst. Chief in May and will begin hiring day time staff. The department just purchased a used engine to replace one of our smaller and older engines which has limited seating capabilities. MVFD has also recently received its official 501c3 status from the IRS. Shady Hollow Municipal Utility District received approval through an recent election to issue bonds for the construction of a new fire station. The new fire station will be located in the Shady Hollow area and will feature a state of the art training facility and meeting room, personnel quarters, and large apparatus bays.

January 2005

Manchaca Fire/Rescue will host an Emergency Care Attendant and an Emergency Medical Technician class beginning January and will run through April.

Summer 2004

Rescue 502 Delivered - Manchaca Fire/Rescue took delivery of a refurbished rescue truck which underwent major modifications. The unit now has a recessed light tower, slide out trays, areas for self contained breathing apparatus bottles, upgraded warning light system and extrication tools.

Command 501/502 Inservice - Two new command units were purchased and put into service. Command 501 and Command 502 are two new Ford F150 Trucks with equipment on it to allow for a command post to have access to information commonly needed by a commander. The units will have mobile data computers, 800mhz and Vhf radios and telemetry devices which allow for the viewing of the thermal imaging cameras the department owns.

Grant Received - Manchaca Fire/Rescue was notified late this summer that it had been awarded a grant from the Department of Homeland Security for the purchase of 800mhz radios and mobile data computers. The grant award was for $170,000 worth of equipment which will help our fire department communicate with other area departments and have access to information through the mobile data computers.

April

Manchaca Fire/Rescue has recently received notification from the Insurance Services Office that the Public Protection Classification for our area will change from a Class 6/9 to a Class 5/9 with an effective date of September 1, 2004. It is expected that those properties which currently have a Class 6 classification will change to a Class 5 and save each homeowner approximately 5% per year on their homeowner’s insurance premiums. It is estimated this will save the homeowners of the area a combined total of $100,000 to $200,000 in insurance premiums this year. Please check your homeowner’s insurance statement to insure the right classification code is being used. Manchaca Fire/Rescue will continue to work on improving the services to the area and lowering the rating.

Manchaca Fire/Rescue was given approval to purchase two new vehicles for providing services to the area. We are pursuing purchasing a new command and duty officer vehicle to allow the officers quicker responses to emergency scenes, establishing a well organized incident command and carrying medical equipment on each unit to allow for quicker responses to medical calls. Manchaca Fire/Rescue will change the current command unit into a medical response unit which will be utilized by medical responders to have quicker responses to emergencies.

MVFD voted in the April meeting to change the Articles of Incorporation to allow for an assumed name for the fire department to account for the additional services the department is now providing. Manchaca Fire/Rescue was voted on by the general membership of the department to be included in the by-laws. It is expected this change will be seen in MVFD apparel and possibly on the apparatus.

February

MVFD completed their first set of live fire training at a house which was donated to the fire department by the Marbridge Foundation. MVFD personnel trained in this home for several weekends learning basic fire fighting and rescue techniques. MVFD would like to extend our gratitude to the Marbridge Foundation for their donation of the home and allowing our volunteers to learn valuable lessons.

MVFD took possession of a rescue truck which is owned by Emergency Services District #5 to use as the rescue truck for the area. Currently the truck is undergoing major renovations to allow MVFD to use the truck to it’s fullest capacity. MVFD expects the truck will be in service sometime in May. The truck will feature a light tower, the “Jaws of Life,” a various assortment of rescue tools and equipment and medical supplies.

MVFD held elections for the officer of the Board of Directors and Chief and Assistant Chief. Several new officers were elected to the board along with a new Chief and Assistant Chief.