Smithland, Jackson VFDs ready to roll

Liz Cline/Jefferson Jimplecute

Editor’s Note: This is the second in a three part series.

Smithland fire chief Alan Biddy is happy to report that after 30 plus years as the area’s local fire station there have been no injuries reported. That’s quite a record for any fire department, but especially good for a volunteer fire department. Smithland has 16 firefighters now who have all been trained by either Chief Biddy or by Texas A&M firefighting school.

Most of the funding comes from the boot drive on Memorial Day weekend, homemade burrito breakfast on the first day of deer season, grants and help from members’ dues. Members also take food and water to the firefighters when battling a blaze.

During the Bear Creek fires FEMA money has helped sustain the fire department as well as grants. Smithland has four fire trucks. A three-thousand-gallon tanker, two brush fire trucks and a large 750-gallon brush truck donated from the Woodlawn volunteer fire department.

Firefighting in a rural area is difficult, especially grass fires. Chief Biddy says they use dawn dish soap as a way to weigh down the flames and make water usage to a minimum. Also, by spraying the fire at ground level you use less water and can harness the flames more easily. Chief Biddy has had 16 years as a firefighter and is in his third year as chief.

Smithland also has a helipad and landing zone training. They also have a donated defibrillator. 

Jackson Volunteer Fire Department is now covering what used to be Southshore. This makes it one of the biggest areas for coverage. Fire Chief Jim Bruner has been with the department and watched it grow over the years. He has 18 firefighters ready to serve 24/7. The department also has a Junior Firefighter group that takes kids 16 years and older and trains them to help.

Fundraisers include Memorial Day weekend fill the boot, a BBQ the third weekend in October. They also get grants for protective gear. Right now the department has enough gear for ten firefighters including Helmets, jackets, pants and boots. They need a jaws of life and rescue jackets and are counting on training funding. A 95-5 grant from the forestry service will help pay for a new 300 galloon truck but they also need donations for the 5%.

Smithland Volunteer Firefighters are trained in house as well as TEEX. (Texas A&M Engineering Extension Services) Response time is an incredible three to five minutes depending on the location. And there have been no fatalities over a decade.