The Dumas Volunteer Fire Department acquired a 5,000 gallon tanker truck this year.
They purchased the truck through a federal surplus program. They are working to put it in service. They have acquired the pumper trunk that has a pump mounted on the front that will allow them to pump and roll. This will allow them to put out grass fires without having to stop.
They recently received approval to increase the number of firefighters from 22 to 25 people. Their big purchase this year is to try and purchase a new extractor washer to clean their turnouts, because turnouts are S2,300 a set and have a life of 10 years.
They are also waiting on the State Health Department to approve an Emergency Medical Responders course for the department. . By being certified with an EMR that will allow the DVFD to drive the ambulances when an EMT is not available to drive.
The DVFD trains to handle day to day calls like house fires, fire alarms, grass fires, traffic accidents and more. Their basic goal is to be able to handle a house fire in the Dumas city limit where they stop the fire and make sure everyone is safe.
The bread and butter of the fire department is to handle a structure fire with the people and equipment available. Their common calls include Structure fires, grass, alarm calls unintentional pulled or malfunctions, unreported control burns, vehicle accidents: extrication and assisting the ambulance and calming accident victims. They have six firefighters on staff with emergency Medical Responder training. The DVFD trains twice a month. They train regularly on their breathing equipment, operation of the truck pumps, aerial truck and extrication tools. Chief Doug Weatherford said you have to be able to handle any equipment at any time day or night.
“You don't train until you get it right, you train until you can't get it wrong. In the job you are trying to do, somebody's life may be dependent on it,” Chief Doug Weathrford said.
The DVFD also receives training in containing spills and hazardous materials. Fire fighters who have training in Firefighter 1 have received training in how to identify and get people to safety. They are trained to set up decontamination lines and other safety skills to ensure the safety of the community. They train for many situations they hope they will never see.
The DVFD is also prepared for severe weather by having spotters located out in the town city limits to spot storms and possibly tornadoes. The department sends spotters to areas south and west of Dumas to help spot incoming storms. The spotters warning gives Dumas residents 2-3 minute warning for residents to get to safety. While the weather radar can spot storms in action, it can't actively identify a storm locally when seconds count. Local tornado sirens can be set off by Central Dispatcher or by the DVFD by handheld radios if a tornado is spotted.
“We have a station starting at Pickens all the way back to Highway 54 where you can see a long way across open farm ground. Lightning is always something you can see,” Weatherford said.
He advised residents to put as many walls between you and the outside if they do not have access to a storm shelter. Residents in mobile homes are advised to leave their home and seek shelter in a more permanent structure.
Weatherford said tornado sirens are only meant to alert people outdoors. Weatherford advised everyone to have an alternate method to receive weather warnings including by weather radio, the radio, television or cell phone apps. He advised people to have a plan when a warning is initiated.
“If a tornado warning is issued, someone on the ground has witnessed the tornado in action. A spotter, law enforcement. Someone has seen the tornado on the ground and they will issue a tornado emergency,” he said.
Weatherford asked people not to hesitate about calling if they have a question or concern involving fire safety. They have received requests to check fire alarms and other fire related questions. The DVFD will be happy to check things out for them. If people think they have a problem involving fire, please don't hesitate to call. We will be glad to come check things out for them. If a group or business needs fire safety training for fire extinguishers, they only need to call the City Hall to set up a training session.
