Updated, 2:36 p.m. MT, May 31, 2011
I have seen too many photos like this, of firefighters in Texas standing, sitting, or kneeling on the back of a fire truck fighting fire. In addition to the obvious hazard of the effects of the fire itself on an exposed firefighter, there is also the risk of the overloaded and top-heavy truck rolling and injuring or killing the firefighter riding on the back.
According to the Lake Tanglewood Fire Department’s web site, Grass 1 pictured here, is a 1992 Ford F-350, with a 500-gallon water tank. The payload this truck is carrying is probably at least 5,000 pounds, pretty close to if not over the GVWR.
Here are a couple of photos taken April 8, 2011, by Victor Cristales, showing the Stonewall County Volunteer Fire Department fighting fire in Texas.
These firefighters deserve credit for helping their communities, and I know that many rural fire departments in Texas receive little or no tax revenue from citizens who expect free fire protection, but there is no excuse for this.
UPDATE: ChuckW’s comment below led us to a good idea. We are going to accept nominations for a Texas fire department that needs help in the form of donated fire equipment, or even cash.
buddy thats my department doin a break neck speed of 5 mph if we roll over doin five its our time he was dressed in full ppe for structure fires more than adequate protection for a grass fire all the times ive driven that truck or ridden on the back ive never felt unsafe
At least the firefighter in the top photo is wearing at least some protective equipment. I’ve watched some local VFD’s work with “brush trucks” and in the right conditions and fire situations, they can do wonders, but I agree that they need good equipment and training.
Yes this is a bad situation that many poor departments face. On another note these firefighters are all these communities have. Yes maybe poorly funded but they are out there doing something that scares the crap out of most people. My hat is off to them for courage and if I have any extra or older gear that can go to them to help I’ll do it. Because these small town heroes need help not criticism. Safety is necessary and for those in large departments with good to fair funding a lot of us can arm chair a lot when we should be asking our higher ups to send these guys gear and supplies to win their fight to save their communities.
Note to Bill: you should be beating the drum to get them help they are our brothers in arms and we help and educate our brothers to help them be better.
Good idea ChuckW. Go here, and Lets’ adopt a Texas fire department.
Unfortunately, that practice is common with VFD’s throughout the plains states. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLUb8de2m24 shows one of MANY examples of why this is a bad practice. Note to Bill, if it’s not considered appropriate to post such a link feel free to delete.
Thanks EricW. We first covered that February, 2009 rollover of the Abilene, Texas truck HERE, and the following day posted a different version of the video HERE.