Texas VFD Shut Down in Squabble With ESD

Posted by: Curt Varone January 3, 2013 1 Comment

A “small” volunteer fire department in Texas is pledging to re-open its doors just three days after it was closed by its Emergency Service District.

The Sandy Oaks Volunteer Fire Department was ordered to stop responding to emergencies at midnight on December 31, 2012 in the wake of a dispute with  Emergency Services District #6.

On Monday, Bexar County officials were at the department taking inventory and packing up all the HAZMAT response equipment that was stored there.

Sandy Oaks VFD covers an area of roughly 130 square miles (which is apparently small by Texas standards… but is HUGE by RI standards). Officials from ESD #6 insist they have a plan to ensure adequate coverage to district residents.

 

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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