Fire Dept. negotiations underway

Tin Top VFD fighting to remain independent

Danie M. Huffman

wdreporter2@yahoo.com

Recent issues holding up county and Emergency Service District 6 contracts with Tin Top Volunteer Fire Department are in the process of being dealt with.

A meeting Wednesday evening was held to discuss the future of the department.

Tin Top Volunteer Fire Chief Beau Morgan said the ESD has begun negotiating.

A commissioner’s court meeting is scheduled for Monday to further discuss issues.

“Our firefighters have regular jobs,” Morgan said. “But we’re going to make sure there’s a representative here for the meeting.”

Morgan said attendees centered on topics concerning both firefighters and the ESD board members Wednesday.

“What we need to do, what were their concerns, are we proficient enough for them, basically what they want from us,” Morgan said.

Morgan is hoping the ESD will not take over the department, but desires a contract to operate with them.

“Worst case scenario, they’ll take over,” he said. “We want to make sure there is enough time and rapport for trust to be built there before that happens. The meeting was hard discussions, but it all boils down to we’re volunteer firemen and we have lives outside of these doors.”

Morgan said firefighters were allowed to voice their concerns of covering their response area properly, and said both entities agreed to negotiate the terms of a contract.

Morgan said he wants concerned Tin Top residents to attend the ESD meetings and speak to County Judge Mark Riley and Precinct 3 Commissioner John Roth.

Morgan wants a tanker truck returned to the station to place back in operation.

The truck broke down and according to Fire Marshal Shawn Scott, is waiting for repairs.

Morgan said the truck is ready to be put into service, but is sitting at a county building.

Before the meeting, Morgan said, “Parker County refused to give our truck back to us. I want it settled. That’s taxpayer’s money sitting there not being utilized.”

No determination was made Wednesday about the truck.

He added the department will benefit if they sign with the ESD and has requested an identical contract as the one signed between Cresson and the ESD.

Morgan said a new station is proposed to be built at FM 1708 and 51 South by the ESD in the next one to five years.

“Why would they do that when we have one that’s already 90 percent complete with the equipment already in it?” Morgan questioned. “It’s been rumored they will shut the department down and take away equipment if we don’t sign with them. They can’t do that under state law.”

He said if the ESD gains control of the department operations, it will also get the assets of the station, land and equipment.

Morgan said, “they didn’t have to work for [it].”

“We don’t want harsh feelings,” he said. “We want to cooperate, but we feel purposely left in the dark. We’re the only department in the county that doesn’t have a contract with the county.”

Aside from what each entity wants for the department, Morgan simply wants unity.

“What we’re really after is a contract, lease or operations agreement,” Morgan said.

Morris White, ESD 6 board president, was not available for comment.

Maenica Berry, ESD treasurer, said the contract with Tin Top is intended as a supplemental one to the county contract.

Berry said it basically states the ESD’s intention is to provide equipment. She said they currently have one brush truck in use and a second brush truck is expected to be delivered in 30 to 90 days.

“We have provided a grant match program, [where] we pay the department a portion so they are not out any money,” Berry said.

“Our contract with Tin Top is still valid until a new one is in place.”

As far as the negotiations, Berry said the ESD’s interest is in assuring the district receives the best service.

“No matter what the outcome, we’ll ensure the community has the fire protection that it needs,” Berry said. “Our goal is the same thing — to provide service to the community. It belongs to the community. Whose name is on the title is [not relevant] the purpose is still the same.”

The ESD has implemented a scholarship training program for existing Tin Top personnel and new recruits. In recent months, six volunteer firefighters have been approved for the program, while two more firefighters will be sent through the academy.

The ESD has also offered Tin Top a similar contract as with the existing Horseshoe Bend VFD contract.

In regards to the existing fire station, Berry said the ESD has proposed to add an additional station, which is to be built within the next 10 years, as a condition of the donated land contract, but no commitment has been made.

Berry believe the issues and differences between the ESD and Tin Top can be worked out for the better.