Judge Allen discussed meeting with Emergency Services District 1 Long term Strategic Plan

By Jasper County Judge Mark Allen

Many thanks to the Buna Volunteer Fire Department and Jasper County Emergency Services District # 1 for the invitation to participate in Day 1 of their Long term Strategic Plan session Friday evening.

Images courtesy of Jasper County Judge Mark Allen

This great group of professional volunteers works diligently to provide fire and emergency response, along with contracted EMS services through Allegiance Mobile Health to Jasper County citizens within Emergency Services District # 1, as well as providing fire and other emergency response support through mutual aid agreements to other agencies within Jasper County and the Southeast Texas Region.

Currently, ESD # 1 is constructing Buna VFD's Cairo Springs Substation on FM 1004 and has acquired property for the Buna VFD Gist Substation on Texas Highway 62, so that every citizen within their coverage area will be within 5 miles of a certified Fire Station.

Along with discussion regarding facilities and fire apparatus acquisition, the planning group discussed future expansion of services, volunteer fire personnel recruitment, retention and training, as well as meeting the future demands of protecting our citizens in a growing Buna community.

Great job by ESD # 1 Board Members Dr. Steve Hyden, Billy Ted Smith and Todd Walters in discussing the history of ESD # 1 and the Buna Volunteer Fire Department, and many thanks for their past and continued leadership and support of Fire and EMS services within South Jasper County.

May God bless each and every one of these volunteers as they strive to protect and improve the quality of life of our citizens in Jasper County.