Thursday, May 2, 2024
As the North Hood County Volunteer Fire Department prepares for a successful 2024, Chief Terry Worcester is doing his duty to ensure the department is equipped with the finest equipment and tools to best serve the residents of Hood County.
Worcester recently sent out a letter to everyone in the North Hood County VFD’s fire protection area to keep residents, landowners and businesses informed about the department’s request for donations.
“On average, 65% of our annual operating budget has come from tax deductible donations from our generous community,” the letter reads.
With help from residents, the North Hood County VFD plans to complete several projects this year, like replacing one of the tanker chassis.
“Tankers are one of the most utilized assets in our fleet,” the letter reads. “They assist in shuttling water to rural areas to fight all types of fires. Currently, we have a 1994 International Chassis that is in desperate need of retirement. We have received a Texas Forestry Service Grant for up to $100,000 to assist in purchasing the truck chassis once found. We are still unsure what the final cost to finish out the truck will be.”
The department also plans to acquire new firefighting tools and equipment, like a new battery-powered ventilation fan. The vehicle extrication equipment and the cardiac care equipment need to be upgraded as well.
“Over the last year, we’ve continued to apply for grants to replace our current cardiac monitor with a new Lifepak 15,” the letter reads. “The cost of a single new unit is $31,000. Equipment such as this allows our members that are certified paramedics and EMTs to better assess and treat our patients prior to EMS arrival. This will keep us up to date with the latest in cardiac care and standardize our equipment with Texas EMS ambulance service.”
Lastly, the department needs to upgrade its wildland turnout gear with new helmets, jackets, pants, boots, gloves and other miscellaneous gear for each of the members.
“We have seen an increase in mutual-aid requests from our nearby counties along with others further away. It is our mission to make sure our members have everything they need to remain safe while tending to these emergencies,” the letter reads.
Worcester explained in the letter these are just a few of the many projects the North Hood County VFD plans to tackle in the coming year.
To assist with the donations, the North Hood County VFD is also planning several fundraising events like the annual Fish Fry fundraiser, as well as new events like a Spring Pancake Breakfast, a Fall Chili Cookoff, and a 30 for 30 Gun Raffle.
Worcester explained the annual Fish Fry fundraiser will take place Saturday, May 25, and will include “exciting changes” for this year’s event.
“We do have a pancake supper or breakfast in the planning stage for this year. A chili supper fundraiser also for fall of 2024,” Worcester told the HCN. “We have a lot of rescue and fire equipment we still need or have to replace, and these fundraisers and donations help us achieve that for our community. I wish our pockets were deeper, but even with county money given to us, it’s never enough for such expensive equipment.”
Worcester revealed in the letter that last year, the department was “blown away” by the outpouring of love from the community when the North Hood County VFD raised over $40,000 total from donations alone.
With the community’s help, the fire department was able to purchase a new 2023 brush truck last year for $120,000. Members are currently awaiting the arrival of the new East Coast Rescue Forcible Entry Door that was purchased with a $10,000 grant from the Texas Forestry Service. The department was also able to use the funds to update and renovate the meeting room and kitchen of the station to be more suitable for the needs of the department.
If anyone is interested in becoming a member of the North Hood County VFD, the department meets on Thursday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. at 3108 Sky Harbour Drive. New members are always encouraged to join the team of 34 to assist with fighting fires, running EMS calls and assisting with scene support for large incidents.
Donations to the North Hood County Volunteer Fire Department can be made online at nhcvfd.org, through PayPal at paypal.me/NHCVFD, or through Venmo: @NHCVFD20.
“As always, we welcome you to stop by the station, have a cup of coffee and see how we have grown in the recent years,” Worcester concluded in the letter.
For more information, follow North Hood County VFD on Facebook.
