Some facts about DCBE/Acton Fire Department may surprise you

A lifelong resident of North Central Texas, Larry Barclay is a TCU alum and joyfully retired from law enforcement. He and his wife Karen have resided in DCBE since 2015, along with their two exquisite mixed-breed dogs. They enjoy golf, boating, travel and all thew goodness than accompanies life in the Hood.

We hear the sirens and see the apparatus rumble up and down our roadways. But how much do most of us know about the fire department that serves our community? This week, I look at the volunteer fire service and the DeCordova Bend Estates/Acton Volunteer Fire Department in particular. I met with Fire Chief Stephen Boynton to discuss the department and its current challenges. Parts of the story may surprise you.

The DeCordova Bend Estates/Acton Volunteer Fire Department was formed in 1979 with 25 charter members. The first 26 years of operation were conducted out on a converted maintenance building just inside the main gate of DeCordova. Equipment consisted of two used trucks (one vintage 1939) and a used van. The EMS First Responder program was started in 1982 in association with Hood General Hospital. Paramedics and advanced life support capa-bilities were added through the 1990s. Today, the department operates out of a station (100% funded and constructed by the community) just across Fall Creek Highway from DCBE’s main gate.

ABOUT OUR VFD

The department is staffed with 33 volunteer members (men and women), most of whom meet or exceed state training and certification recommendations. Chief Boynton, (a retired Fort Worth firefighter) has served as a volunteer firefighter in Hood County since he was 17 years old and has been chief since 2016. Except for hazardous material handling, he said, the department is a full-service agency, responding to more than 1,000 runs per year. About 70% of calls are EMS and 30% fire/nonmedical related. The department has a variety of modern firefighting apparatus and has expenditures of about $100,000 per year, with funds provided by Hood County, the City of DeCordova and donations.

Per capita, Hood County residents paid about $5.67 annually for fire service, over the past several years. Predictably, COVID has hampered fundraising efforts from donations, including cancellation of the DCBE Benefit Golf Tournament.

Anticipated population growth will require department expansion.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

If you can serve as a volunteer, sign-up. No special knowledge or background is needed. All training will be provided. Volunteers can do as little or as much as they desire.

Direct cash contribution is appreciated as well and can made in a variety of ways. If you are a DeCordova resident, have an additional amount added to your monthly dues. Kroger and Amazon (AmazonSmile) allow shoppers to donate a portion of each purchase to support our department.

The chief repeatedly voiced appreciation for the tremendous support received from the community. Next year, the chief anticipates an election to approve an Emergency Service District (more on that in future articles).

barclay@yahoo.com / 817-994-4270