Terrell Volunteer Fire Department

TVFD provided a tanker, manpower unit, and 6 personnel to assist CMFD with this fire.

Today marked another big step forward for TVFD. Following on from our nozzle replacement project, your firefighters spent about 10 hours today removing more than 6,000 feet of old fire hose and reloading approximately 6,500 feet of new, premium hose from Kuriyama. In terms of weight, that's more than 6 tons moved in one day!
This new hose gives us matching, high-quality hose across all of our apparatus making our fireground operations safer and more efficient. We also moved to 5-inch supply hose, making us directly compatible with our neighboring departments without the need for adapters. This project was capped off with new Elkhart XD intakes and Harrington adapters.
Funding for this effort was provided by Kaufman County ESD 3 and a grant from our friends at Texas A&M Forest Service.

New equipment is wonderful but it means little without the right people operating it. Are you looking for a new challenge? We have a set of bunker gear for you! TVFD continuously recruits new members - if you're interested, drop us a DM.

TVFD friends - please read KSO's post and keep a sharp eye out for Mr. Chavez. If you have a lead please call KSO immediately.

TVFD currently working a power line fire on County Road 324 east of FM 986. Unfortunately, almost 3 hours in and having already broken two previous ETAs, there is not yet an Oncor representative on scene. The fire has burned through the top of the pole and allowed primary lines to partially fall, taking power out to nearby residents. Please use caution in this area.

TVFD mourns the sudden and unexpected loss of Stephen Edwards, a member of TVFD's Board of Directors. Stephen volunteered for almost 2 years on our Board, using his business aptitude to help oversee our financials and long-term capital expenditures. May he rest in peace.

At 9:27pm Tuesday night, your Terrell volunteer firefighters were dispatched to the area of CR 237A on a structure fire. Multiple callers reported heavy fire in a residence with a person potentially still inside. A large glow could be seen from the area. Aid was immediately requested from Terrell FD, Elmo FD, and Ables Springs FD.
Firefighters arrived less than 7 minutes after dispatch to find heavy fire through the roof. A search was initiated and the person reported inside was located. Firefighters used hand lines and an engine-mounted deck gun to bring the fire under control. Unfortunately, the combination of heavy fire involvement on arrival, gusty winds, and water supply challenges made fire control challenging and the home suffered catastrophic damage. While the investigation is ongoing, it is believed that the fire originated from an overturned heat lamp in the garage which was being used to keep baby chicks warm.
Most FD resources cleared the scene at 1:56am after conducting extensive overhaul, using more than 30,000 gallons of water. TVFD personnel have and will continue to return throughout the day to check for hot spots and conduct any additional overhaul required.

While working this fire, a nearby resident chose to blast down CR 237A on his dirt bike, narrowly avoiding emergency responders on multiple occasions. The Fire Marshal on scene responded, finding that the subject had already crashed into a culvert. After evaluation by EMS, the rider was booked into the Kaufman County Jail on reckless driving charges and his bike was impounded.

TVFD encourages caution with any heat sources or open flames inside your home. A heat lamp and some bedding for animals can turn into a major fire in seconds.

We also ask that motorists use caution and avoid areas where firefighters are working. We shouldn't have to dodge dirt bike riders and their poor decisions while working a fire.

TVFD appreciates all of our mutual aid partners who responded to assist.

Update - Highway cleared. All units clear.

TVFD currently working a 2 vehicle crash on FM 429 north of CR 319. CareFlite helicopter responding. 429 is closed - avoid this area!