Last night, the Wolfe City Fire Department (WCFD) was called to assist with a structure fire in Fannin County, just outside their city limits. Upon arrival, they discovered Ladonia FD and Bailey FD already on the scene. Unfortunately, this incident proved to be a fatality fire. The victim was identified as 63-year-old Mark Wright.
The delay in Wolfe City Fire Department's response has sparked frustration, as they were the last to be notified of the emergency. The delay, which lasted over 20 minutes, was attributed to the standard dispatch procedure, where Fannin County's own fire departments were initially called to the scene. Despite previous attempts to establish an automatic aid agreement with Fannin County, allowing for automatic dispatch within a certain distance of the county line, the agreement has not materialized.
Wolfe City Fire Department, located just over a mile from the incident, arrived on the scene within three minutes of responding. Despite the fire's advanced stage upon their arrival, the department, known for its proactive approach, took immediate action, entering the structure to search for individuals in rooms not yet affected by the flames.
The department expressed their willingness to assist in emergencies near the Fannin/Hunt County line and reiterated their concerns to Fannin County officials. They hope for a resolution to establish an automatic aid agreement, emphasizing the importance of timely response in firefighting scenarios.
While the outcome of the incident remains uncertain had WCFD been dispatched earlier, the department believes that an earlier response would have increased the chances of a better outcome. The Wolfe City Fire Department extends its thoughts and prayers to the family of Mark Wright, a victim of the fire. Wright's daughter is a fellow firefighter, and his son has contributed significantly to the Wolfe City Fire Department over the years. Mark Wright will be remembered and missed by many.
