Lawmakers in Texas, looking back at the 26,000 fires that have burned 3,900,000 acres since December 2010, are asking questions. The Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security held a hearing on Tuesday in which Tom Boggus, director of the Texas Forest Service, testified that the annual grants (approved by the legislature and signed by the governor) to volunteer firefighters have fallen from $25 million in 2009 to $7 million today. Boggus said the volunteers, who suppress most of the wildfires in the state, have still been receiving funds for training and personal protective equipment, but the largest negative impact has been for equipment — fire engines, maintenance, tires, hose, and pumps.
Many of the rural fire departments have little or no reliable funding and depend on bake sales, grants, or donations to buy fire trucks and personal protective equipment for the volunteers so that they can protect the state’s citizens. Last year on their Facebook page the Texas Forest Service asked the residents of the state to donate to their local fire departments.
In response to Larry’s question, I am the owner of a private prescribed fire company. I am located in central Missouri. There are only a handful of people in Missouri that do much burning. From the time we can start burning in the spring until the vegetation greens up, I am very busy. All my firefighters are at least S-130/190 trained. All my equipment is in good condition. I am fully insured for prescribed fire and fire suppression. I would think with some research several companys could be found in any state.
Mr. Gabbert: are there any existing professional prescribed fire specialists? And number two: are there any firefighters talking about creating companies for this purpose?
Larry, there are many full-time employees in the state and federal land management agencies whose primary duties are planning and managing prescribed fires. And, there are some privately owned companies that conduct prescribed fires on a contract basis. One of the barriers these contractors have to overcome is the high cost of liability insurance.