Farmersville Fire Department Chief G. Massey reported that on New Year's Eve, A-Shift Captain J. Pilkinton led the department in responding to 11 calls for service between 1:15 pm and 9:30 pm. Within this 9-hour period, the team handled 7 EMS calls, 2 authorized control burns, and 2 grass fires. The assistance of neighboring fire departments was crucial, and Farmersville Fire Department remains committed to providing aid when needed. Last night, the department assisted Josephine with one of the grass fires, preventing damage to homes. The response involved one paid staff member and three volunteers.
Despite not being in a burn ban, Chief Massey emphasized the dry and dormant state of grass and vegetation. With low humidity and winds, grass fires can spread rapidly. The team's swift actions and collaboration with other agencies helped avert potential disasters.
Chief Massey also highlighted the overall workload, noting that December 2023 was another busy month with 163 calls. In the entirety of 2023, Farmersville Fire Department responded to a total of 1,746 calls for service.
