Thursday, December 5, 2024
In response to recent resignations that have shaken the Pecan Plantation Volunteer Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services, Hood County has now entered into an interlocal agreement with the department to ensure continued fire protection and support for the community.
“We had some things that we’re working through with Pecan,” Fire Chief Jeff Young said during the Hood County Commissioners Court meeting Tuesday. “I believe all of those have been resolved, so I’m bringing forth their interlocal agreement so that we can ensure that we have fire protection for Pecan Plantation and the residents that they serve.”
During the PPVFD and EMS board meeting Sept. 26, Chief Mike Barrett announced the fire department’s members decided to resign Oct. 1, after struggling to work with a newly formed board that has been in place for less than six weeks. He highlighted that this marks the third board change within a year and voiced frustrations regarding the lack of respect from the Fire/EMS Inc. board toward volunteer fire services.
To secure fire protection for Pecan Plantation residents in light of these recent developments, the interlocal agreement — which officially took effect Oct. 22 — includes a $120,000 transfer to PPVFD and EMS to be used as the operational, maintenance and fuel budget of the fire department.
According to the agreement, Hood County and PPVFD will work together in the interest of the citizens of Hood County to provide fire protection and reduced insurance costs by reducing the ISO rating for Hood County. Mutual aid will also be provided by the fire department to any emergency service in Hood County that requests help per this agreement.
“The county really has to make sure that the $120,000 that the county gives to the Pecan Fire Department is used for fire,” Hood County Judge Ron Massingill said. “So, you’re satisfied that this has been addressed and taken care of?”
“Yes, sir,” Young said. “And they did send me a signed policy that ensures that the fire chief will have access to those funds, and he will be a signatory on it, and then second signature will not be unreasonably withheld, so they've met kind of what we've asked them to do. I'm satisfied with that, so I'd like to put it before the court.”
Precinct 3 Commissioner Jack Wilson then made a motion to approve and sign the interlocal agreement with Pecan Plantation Volunteer Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services Inc., to take effect Oct. 22. Following a second by Precinct 2 Commissioner Nannette Samuelson, the motion passed unanimously.
The contract will continue until Sept. 30, 2025.
