The department would like to wish good luck to Fire Fighter Patrick Willis  of Company 1 "C" on his departure to serve our country. Today FF Willis departs for U.S. Navy basic training in Illinois to begin his path towards achieving the coveted trident of the U.S. Navy Seal's. An excellent member of the department always stepping up and helping anytime it was needed, FF Willis has decided to follow his childhood dream of being a Navy Seal despite being offered multiple fire service positions. Following completion of basic training FF Willis will begin pre-BUDS (Basic Underwater Demolition School) training also in Illinois. Upon successful completion FF Willis will then move on to Coronado, California for formal BUDS training and be one step closer to his goal.

Please join me in wishing FF Willis the best of luck in achieving his goal and for a safe training cycle and service to our country.

After undegoing refurbishment work since August 15th of last year, Quint 22 returned to the department this evening. Major components changed, upgraded and modified included a rebuild of the entire front suspension, all warning and flood lighting upgraded to LED, replacement of electric valves with manual valves, installation of LED strip lighting in all compartments, complete re-paint (with addition of black roof) and re-striping as well as installation of a light shroud around the light tower and installation of a Detroit style front bumper as well as other minor items.

Labeled for Quint 21 in anticipation of its reassignment upon arrival of the 2-new pumpers later this year, the apparatus was placed back in service by department personnel under the leadership of Company 2 "A" finally being back-in service shortly after 22:00hrs.

This evening city council approved the 4-newest personnel for the department. Anthony Betancourt, Kenia Compian, Kyle Ricks and Merriett Davidson, assigned to Companies 1"C", 1"C", 2"A" and 1"A" respectively, will begin training with their companies next week to get up to speed on department operations and begin their shift schedule.

Please welcome our newest personnel to the department.

As the afternoon was winding down units were dispatched at 16:13hrs as part of the MCFRS box for the reported structure fire in the 3200 block of Hunterwood. Upon arrival of Engine 21 (Mensik) the assignment of vertical ventilation for the 2-story SFD was given however as the crew was about to ascend to the roof for their assignment Fire Attack Group advised the fire was knocked down and to hold up on the hole. Following standing-by for confirmation of no extension into the attic  Engine 21 was released and returned to service a few minutes after 17:00hrs.

At 15:14hrs units were dispatched to assist MCFRS with the reported MVA with people trapped and a vehicle on fire. Upon arrival of Battalion 21 (Sabrsula) the assignment of ground contact for the Landing Zone division was given and Engine 21 (Lumley) assigned to establish the LZ. Upon completion of extrication of 1-patient from 2 different vehicles all patients were loaded onboard Memorial Herman Life Flight and transported to the Level I Trauma Center in the Texas Medical Center.  

Well its almost done...Since leaving August 15th Quint 22 has been undergoing an extensive refurb by Siddons-Martin Apparatus to have a complete rebuild of the front suspension, replacement of the entire brake system, electrical system upgrades, a new paint job and host of other improvements. With only the completely redesigned "Detroit Style" front bumper remaining to be installed, the anticipated return date is next Friday, January 20th following the complete restriping and lettering of the apparatus by the same company who striped the apparatus when delivered new in 2004, Reflective Dynamics of San Antonio.

As the morning rush hour was beginning a huge line of heavy thunderstorms rolled in Fort Bend County from the southwest. After hammering the areas southwest of the area, the storm brought an estimated 6" of rain to the Fort Bend County area with extensive flooding of streets, neighborhoods, freeways and just about anything else low enough to collect water. During the storm the department responded to in excess of 15 incidents including multiple water rescues for subjects in submerged vehicles. Following the passing of the storms department operations returned to a normal pace.

Shortly after 04:00hrs units were dispatched to the reported barn on fire in the area of Katherine St. and Moore Rd. Arriving 6 minutes later Engine 22 (Mc Gilbery) reported fire coming from a 1-story 60' X 125' metal warehouse and initiated fire attack with a 2" handline while Engine 21 (Ramirez) laid 400' of 5" to complete the split lay from Engine 22 at the intersection and then stretched a 2nd 2" handline. Upon arrival of Engine 32 (Ybarra) and Ladder 2 crews began opening up the exterior walls to expose the numerous burning automobiles, motorcycles, generators, plywood and other items while Squad 21 (Ortega) assisted with fire attack. With Battalion 1 (Le Grotte) as Safety, bowing roof joists were reported and personnel restricted to an exterior attack. Following a complete opening up of the structure and the main body of fire knocked down, crews began rotating to rehab. Following completion of documentation and scene survey by the Fort Bend County Fire Marshal's Office a final washdown was completed by Quint 33 (Butler). As this was finishing green liquid was noticed in the surrounding ditches precipitating diking operations and a request for Haz Mat Co. 05 made. Upon determination of no hazard by HM-5 all units returned to service and the scene turned over to the property owner with no reported to fire service or civilian personnel.

Photo by FF M. Ricks

As hose testing was being completed for the day units were dispatched at 15:59hrs to the 12000 block of Riva RIdge in the Fondren Park Subdivision of Missouri City. Upon arrival of Engine 32 (Scott) heavy smoke was reported from a 1-story SFD and offensive operations begun. With the development of heavy fire from the Side "C" windows, and with probable extension to the attic, upon arrival of Engine 21 (G. Lopez) the crew was assigned to vertical ventilation. Following completion of the hole and punching of ceiling, and with the main body of fire knocked down, Engine 21 was released and returned to service at 16:47hrs. During the incident Car #1 (Di Camillo) was assigned as the Incident Safety Officer.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Missouri City Fire Marshal's Office.

After much anticipation this evening the formal apparatus replacement program of the department was presented to city council. This process, starting over a year ago with the formation of an apparatus committee, included the evaluation of the needs of the department, specification development to meet those needs, evaluation of the various apparatus manufacturers and the determination of service capabilities of each. Following the completion of this evaluation process a final manufacturer remained. Previously having used American La France, Pirsch, Quality, Emergency One and most recently Rosenbauer-General, the department has selected for the first time Pierce Manufacturing of Appleton, Wisonsin to be the builder of 2-custom rescue pumpers and 1-brush unit.

The overall specifications for the pumper apparatus call for Pierce Impel cabs with 10" raised roofs and "Detroit" steel front bumpers, TAK-4 independent front suspensions, 450hp Cummins ISL engines, Allison EVS-3000 transmissions, Hale QMAX-200 2000GPM single-stage pumps, 750 gallon booster tanks, Class "A" foam systems with 40 gallons foam cells, 7-compartment aluminum bodies with roll-up doors, 5-pre-connected attack lines, pre-piped TFT deck guns, hosebeds to accomodate 1000' of 5", 600' of 6" and 250' of 2-1/2" hose, 6KW Harrison PTO generators, Command Light light towers, 200' electric re-wind cord reels, Whelen LED flood lighting, Whelen LED warning lights, 2" rubber rub rails in place of traditional aluminum and David Clark intercom systems among the various components.

Specifications for the brush unit include a Ford F350 4-wheel drive extra-cab chassis to allow for SCBA and EMS compartments inside, a Fabtek 4" lift, a gasoline engine (for weight savings), super-single tires, aluminum flat bed body with crew riding positions each side with 1" whip lines, Hale HPX pump, 290 gallon booster tank, FoamPro 1600 Class "A" foam system with 10 gallon foam cell, booster reel of 200' of 1", 1-3/4" pre-connected hand line, Whelen LED flood lighting and warning lights and portable winch with front and rear receivers amongst other components.

In addition to the apparatus, loose equipment was also approved to assist in outfitting the new apparatus. Chief among this equipment is Holmatro Core extrication equipment, Bullard Eclipse thermal imaging cameras, Paratek TVS strut systems, Panasonic Toughbooks and Elkhart portable monitors as well as all new supply and attack hose.

Many thanks go to the apparatus committee, Stafford City Council, Director of Emergency Services B.R. Krahn and the numerous personnel who gave their input into the specifications as well as the staff of Siddons-Martin Apparatus of Houston, Texas.

Anticipated delivery is expected by August 2012.

Click on the paper icon below for Pierce drawing of pumpers.

Following a busy night with 10 runs, a quiet afternoon was interupted with the report from Squad 21 of a MVA in front of Station #1. Requesting EMS and PD, Squad 21 began patient triage finding 1 critical and 3 stable patients with extrication necessary. Upon arrival of Engine 22 (OIC Ortega) extrication was begun, and following completion, all patients packaged for transport. Following loading of patients with FBCEMS Medics 10, 3 and 4, all units returned to service with the patients transported to both the Level I Trauma Center at Memorial Herman Hospital Medical Center and the Level III Trauma Center at Memorial Herman Southwest Hospital. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Stafford Police Department.

As the evening was beginning units were dispatched to the 7800 block of Redgate Dr. in Missouri City for the reported residential structure fire. Upon arrival of Engine 32 (OIC Ybarra) fire was reported from Division 2 of a 2-story SFD. Upon arrival of Engine 21 the assignment of relieving Fire Attack was given with the crew overhauling the affected Division 2 area and opending up for extension. Following completion of assignments Engine 21 returned to service shortly after 19:00hrs. During the incident Car #2 (Burns) served as the Incident Safety Officer. No injuries were reported to fire service or civilian personnel.

At approximately 21:30hrs units were dispatched to the 1300 block of Gentle Bend Dr. in Missouri City for the residential structure fire. Upon arrival of Engine 23 (OIC Berg) heavy fire was evident on Division 2 and thru the roof of a 2-story SFD with defensive operations underway using the ladder pipe of Quint 33. Upon completion of ladder pipe operations after about 10 minutes Engine 23 was assigned to search group and conducted same on Division 1 and Division 2 with negative findings. Upon completion of assignment units returned to service at approximately 22:58hrs. No injuries were reported to fire service or civilian personnel.

After over 3 decades with the department, long time member and employee of the department, Captain E.J. Bender has decided to retire. First joining the department in November 1977, E.J. as he is known, has been instrumental in the continued progress of the department for his entire time here. From the days of a single 2-bay fire station, 1-1/2" hose, riding tailboard, SCBA as an option and VHF radios to our current organziation, apparatus and equipment, E.J. was key in all aspects of improvement of the department to benefit the community.

While his retirement from the department to spend more time with wife Jeanette will leave a void in the department, he will still continue in the fire service for at least a couple more years as he is not quite ready to retire from the Houston Fire Department assigned as District Chief 68 "D" Shift in SW Houston.

So from the entire department, many wishes for future happiness, good times, cruises and trips to Vegas to E.J. and Jeanette.

Photo by Terry Court

This evening personnel of the department gathered for the department dinner held at Regal Ranch on S. Main St. Thru the evening stories were shared and dinner enjoyed by all. Also during the event department awards were presented for outstanding performance in various aspects of department operations.

Lieutenant Michael Fleming - Officer of the Year

Fire Fighter Tim Lawson - Fire Fighter of the Year

Fire Fighter Kenneth Schackai - Fire Chief's Commendation Award

Fire Fighter Clint Krenek - Department Leadership Award   

Also special thanks to MCFRS Engine 32 "B" and SLFD Engine 3 "B" for covering during the event.