Granbury Fire Training Center to receive $25,000 in improvements

The city of Granbury recently approved an interlocal agreement with Hood County that will provide $25,000 in improvements to the Granbury Fire Training Center.

During the Granbury City Council meeting Nov. 5, Deputy City Manager Michael Ross explained that as stated in the interlocal agreement, the county will provide $25,000 in needed repairs to the fire training center in exchange for the county’s continued usage of the facility over the next three years.

“The proposed improvements are related to the roof, the ceiling and other structural improvements, along with power washing and painting,” Ross said. “The city will handle the procurement under our policies and will oversee the work.”

Ross explained that through this partnership, eight other Hood County volunteer fire departments will also be able to utilize the city’s training center. He added that some of the departments have already been using the facility infrequently over time but that this agreement will formalize that process.

“A schedule will be developed, which sets specific times each month (that a department can utilize the facility),” Ross added. “Our fire department will supervise any training that goes on at the fire grounds.”

Place 6 council member Greg Corrigan, who is also a volunteer firefighter, explained that the GVFD collaborates with other county fire departments to provide joint training for the entire county.

“Other departments, infrequently, as was said, have utilized the training facility, which just adds to how quickly things get to a point where they're no longer useful — like the roof,” he said. “We've heard so many times before how it's no longer functional, so the county providing the funds to fix these things for continued access to those training grounds is beneficial for everybody involved.”

“I would have to agree,” Mayor Jim Jarratt added. “When you talk about the Granbury Volunteer Fire Department, you talk about the entire group, because if something happens here on our square, you see everybody showing up.”

Eddie Rodriquez, council member Place 2, explained that the interlocal agreement is a collaboration between the county and the city — both working together for a common goal of ensuring that every fireman is “developed and trained in the same aspect as everybody else.”

"This is awesome continuity with the same type of training across the board,” Rodriquez said. “And this is good on the county for participating and helping financially on this endeavor.”

Place 3 council member Bruce Wadley made the motion to approve the interlocal agreement between the city of Granbury and Hood County. With a second from Mayor Pro Tem Steven Vale, the motion passed unanimously.

The Hood County Commissioners Court will vote to officially approve the agreement and to determine the funding source for the $25,000 during its regular meeting Tuesday, Nov. 12.