CURRENT EVENTS
Last Update: October 23, 2008
General Information
9-11 Observance
On September 11 city employees joined the fire department at Fire Administration for a brief ceremony remembering those who lost their lives in the attack on our country on September 11, 2001. Among the nearly 3,000 who died that day were 343 firefighters, 60 police officers and 55 military personnel.
Badge Pinning and Promotions
On June 26 the Euless Fire Department recognized four of its members at a reception at City Hall. Three received promotions and one was recognized for having completed her one-year probationary period.
Firefighter/Paramedic Ashley Howard was presented her badge and helmet shield after having successfully completing her first year with the department. Her father, Jerry Howard, pinned on her badge.
Lieutenant Jerry Sutton was promoted to Captain and his wife, Lynn, pinned his badge on him. Captain Sutton has been with the department for twenty-four years.
Driver/Engineer Allan Cavender was promoted to Lieutenant. His wife, Kathy, pinned his badge on him. Lieutenant Cavender has been with the department for twenty-four years.
Firefighter II Brad Smith was promoted to Driver/Engineer. His daughter, Delani, is pinning her dad. Driver/Engineer Brad Smith has been with the department for ten years.
Congratulations to these members of the department for their accomplishments.
Euless Firefighters Association Golf Tournament
On July 29 the Euless Firefighters Association hosted its annual charity golf tournament at the Texas Star Golf Course. Corporate sponsors and nearly 140 golfers helped raise $7,000.00 for various charities the Association supports. Among the groups receiving support this year were local Little League teams and Trinity High School students bound for college in need of financial assistance.
National Night Out
On Tuesday night, October 7 all on-duty personnel and members of fire administration joined the police department and twenty neighborhood associations groups in observing National Night Out. Sponsored by Association of Town Watch, NNO is in its 25th year. Over 35 million participated across the nation last year. National Night Out was organized to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for anticrime programs, strengthen neighborhood/police partnerships and to send the message to criminals that neighborhoods are organizing against crime.
Volunteers from the Euless Fire Academy Alumni Association rode out with us and two of our SAFETY Troop clowns, Snuffy and Seatbelt, visited the various block parties held around town. There was good food, a good time and plenty of goodwill shared by all who participated. Thank you, Euless citizens!
Open House
On Saturday, October 4 the Euless Fire Department hosted an open house at Fire Station 3 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Approximately 200 people visited the station. Firefighters set up static displays of fire engines, aerial apparatus and Emergency Medical Services equipment. The Euless Citizen Fire Academy Alumni Association gave away hot dogs and drinks and displayed their rehab vehicle and equipment. The fire marshal's office operated the fire safety trailer and on-duty firefighters conducted a demonstration of the department's vehicle extrication capabilities by using rescue tools to cut up a car that was donated by B & B Wrecker and removed a "victim". There was an interactive fire hose area for the children as well as an interactive fire extinguisher area.
The fire department hosts this open house every year during Fire Prevention Week. Fire Prevention Week is observed every year across the nation during the week in which October 8 falls to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Fire Truck Dedication
Members of the Euless Fire Department, retirees, family, friends and neighbors joined together to dedicate a new fire truck at Station 3 on June 26 as Quint 553, a multi-purpose fire engine with aerial ladder capabilities was officially placed into service. Fire Chief Robert Isbell spoke of the tradition of a community coming together to dedicate a new fire engine to serve the citizens.
Fire Department Chaplain, Captain Keith Smith, offered a prayer of dedication and implored God’s protection upon the new truck, those who will be serving on it and upon those whom it will serve. All present ceremoniously washed the truck then, pushed it into the station.
Honor Guard
Since the last update, the Euless Fire Department Honor Guard has attended or participated in six funerals across the state.
In June the Honor Guard and members of the Euless Police Honor Guard participated in the funeral of Bill Thompson, father of Euless Battalion Chief, Gary Thompson. Mr. Thompson had served the citizens of Euless for twenty-eight years with the police department and was retired.
In July, four members of the Honor Guard travelled to Teague, Texas to honor Chief Robert Knight who died in the collapse of a building in downtown Teague while directing the firefighting efforts of the Teague Fire Department. They had the honor of presenting the U.S. Flag of Honor at the service, then escorting it back to D/FW Airport for safe keeping. Chief Knight was forty-two years old.
In August, members attended the funeral of Michael Keefer, longtime member of and Fire Marshal for the City of Grapevine. Chief Keefer had battled cancer for nearly two years. He was fifty-five years old.
In September, members of the Honor Guard assisted the Irving Fire Department honoring a retired Irving Battalion Chief, Tom Murphy. Chief Murphy had served Irving for nearly three decades and had been retired for over twenty years.
Also, in September, members travelled to Corsicana to assist the Corsicana Fire Department in honoring Captain James Batson who was laid to rest on September 11.
On October 3, members travelled to DeKalb, Texas in Bowie County to honor Dale Wayne Grider who died of an apparent heart attack while on duty with the DeKalb Volunteer Fire Department. He had been a member of the DeKalb Volunteer Fire Department for about one year. He was thirty-six years old.
On Tuesday, September 9, the Fire Department Honor Guard along with members of the Police Honor Guard had the privilege of presenting our nation's flag at the City Council meeting in remembrance of those who died in the attack on our country on September 11, 2001.
Operations
Trailer Fire at 1001 Villa - June 4, 2008
On June 4 firefighters responded to a fire at 1001 Villa Drive involving a small landscape trailer. There were no injuries and the fire was confined to the trailer and its contents.
Fire at Manchester Apartments - July 4, 2008
On July 4, firefighters responded to a structure fire at the Manchester Apartments. Upon arrival they found three patio/balcony areas on fire. They were able to extinguish the fires quickly before it could get inside any of the buildings. No one was home at the apartment where it was determined that the fire started and no one was injured. There had been reports of fireworks being used in the area, but no determination was made as to the cause.
Motor Vehicle Accident at 800 Block W. Harwood - July 17, 2008
On July 17 firefighters responded to the 800 block of W. Harwood where they found that two pickup trucks had collided head-on. One of the vehicles had crossed the median and collided with the other. Air bags were deployed from the impact, but no one received any life-threatening injuries.
Fire at 150 Westpark Way - September 28, 2008
Firefighters responded to an automatic fire alarm at 150 Westpark Way where they observed substantial smoke in the first floor lobby of the four-story office building. They forced entry into the building and discovered a fire in the lobby flower bed involving mulch. It was determined that the fire was caused by the close proximity of the combustible planting material to electric landscape lighting. No one was injured and damage was primarily due to the smoke.
Fire Prevention Week
Inservice Engine Tours
During Fire Prevention Week on-duty firefighters visited thirty-seven kindergarten and pre-kindergarten classes in Euless to present fire safety messages and to introduce "Firefighters Are Your Friends" to over 500 youngsters. This annual event begins the process of instilling these young people with several life-saving behaviors related to fire safety. This program is reinforced by the fire department's SAFETY Troop's annual presentations to all first through sixth graders.
Clowns of the Fireabean
The Euless Fire Department S.A.F.E.T.Y. Troop and their "roadies" educated and entertained more than 4,000 elementary school students during Fire Prevention Week. They presented their educational program in thirteen performances in nine venues in six days. The program, Clowns of the Fireabean, covered several child fire safety behaviors including "Stop, Drop and Roll", "Stay Low in Smoke" and "Know Two Ways Out". Other safety topics covered were: have a "family code word" in case someone has to pick up a child at school that is unknown to the child and use "personal floatation devices" while riding in a boat or other watercraft.
Citizen Fire Academy Class
Citizen Fire Academy Class #14 is in its ninth week of educational fun. Fourteen of your fellow citizens are learning about the fire department in the twelve week academy designed to open lines of communications between the department and our citizens. Citizens participate in CPR classes, automobile extrication, search and rescue and live fire exercises. You got questions? We got answers!
