Angelina County volunteer fire departments accepting donations

ANGELINA COUNTY, Texas (KTRE) - When a wildfire breaks out the first step for most people is to call 911, but many may not know that some of the people who show up to help aren’t even being paid to do so.

Angelina County is home to nine volunteer fire departments, and most have volunteers that work full time jobs outside of the V-F-D. Fuller Springs Fire Department Lieutenant Kent Childers said, they’re feeling the pressure.

“In the last two weeks we mentioned there’s only three days that we haven’t been on a call, but during that same period we’ve responded to over 22 fires, so it definitely stretches you thin and everybody gets tired and wore out of course from being out on so many calls,” said Childers.

With the increased need for firefighters comes the increased need for firefighter support. Fuller Springs Fire Department Assistant Chief Bobby Cranford said the wear and tear on their vehicles is one of their biggest challenges.

“Our newest truck is almost 20 years old, these larger trucks take expensive repairs, we had to put tires on trucks recently and it was about $3,000 per truck,” said Cranford.

With a $1,300 a month budget, Lieutenant Childers said it isn’t enough to support their needs.

“Along with the trucks we also have equipment and gear, such as chainsaws, axes, hoses, and them things get wore out on these fires too, so you end up having to replace them as well, there’s a lot of different needs that you may have at your house every day, but we have that on a much larger scale,” said Childers.

Cranford said these are issues the community has helped with, but there are other things that could support their cause.

“Just snacks to keep us going while we’re on fires, some things like that, and like I say just some donations to help cover our insurance and fuel,” said Cranford.

To offer support you can mail a check to the volunteer fire department that serves your area or drop off donations of any kind at the addresses below.

• Hudson VFD - 3731 Ted Trout Dr., Hudson, TX
• Diboll VFD - 400 Kenley St., Diboll, TX
• Fuller Springs VFD - 4958 Hwy 69S, Lufkin, TX
• Huntington VFD - 112 East Preston St., Huntington, TX
• Moffett VFD- 355 Lone Star Rd., Lufkin TX
• Redlands/Rivercrest VFD - 340 Powder River Rd., Lufkin, TX
• Zavalla VFD - 175 Park Rd., Zavalla, TX

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