Shown is a fire Friday in Mexico across the border from El Cenizo.
Courtesy: City of El Cenizo
LMTonline.com
Jorge A. Vela, LMTonline.com / Laredo Morning Times, Laredo Morning Times
Volunteer firefighters for the City of El Cenizo might get some incentive for their service to the community.
The City of El Cenizo recently announced that their El Cenizo Volunteer Fire Department will begin a “Paid On Call” firefighter to work either 12- or 24-hour shifts. The department will initially pay $50 for 24 hours and $25 for 12-hour shifts to those who serve.
El Cenizo Mayor Carina Hernandez stated that the “Paid On Call” firefighters will not be considered full-time or part-time firefighters for the city. The program is designed for current and future volunteer firefighters to gain experience and work toward a Texas firefighter certification or members from other departments, that meet the minimum requirements, on their days off.
“At the moment, we’re really just interested in community members who want to serve, learn and grow professionally,” Hernandez said. “There will be certain criteria and requirements that will need to be met with time. I’m committed to ensuring we provide funding, tools and resources for their training and equipment.”
Hernandez said the city has always depended on a volunteer fire department, and they will continue to do so but hope that with these incentives more are motivated to serve the community.
“Over 75% of fire departments in Texas are volunteer-based,” Hernandez said. “It’s nothing relatively new to El Cenizo or any other small municipality. Unfortunately, the previous administration was unable to keep up with the upkeep of the fire station and its fire apparatuses and retain the active force. When present, they simply just allowed them to fend for their own and it simply just dissolved. I want to ensure that our volunteer fire department has the support of their leaders and the community.”
Some of the requirements that the city is looking forward for their firefighters include:
- They must have or be able to obtain a TCFP – Basic Structural Firefighting Certification or State Fireman and Fire Marshals Association of Texas within a reasonable time determined by the fire chief and training staff.
- They must have completed The Emergency Medical Responder Class or ECA certification within a reasonable time determined by the fire chief and training staff.
- They must complete all required NIMS classes such as the 100, 200, 700 and 800 within six months.
The selected firefighters will then need to:
- Complete the online Courage to Be Safe program by the end of the first shift when they begin their service.
- Complete the online Traffic Incident Safety Course within six months.
- They must have or be able to obtain Class B (Exempt) license within six months.
- They must pass a criminal background check.
Hernandez said the tuition for any required schools will be provided by the fire department, as most is paid with HB 2604 grant funds. The fire department also will train the first and third Tuesday of each month, as “Paid On Call” firefighters will train with full-time staff on every shift to prepare for all emergency situations, daily station duties and other duties assigned by the station captain or the fire chief.
Hernandez said the Webb County Fire Department continues to help provide support to firefighters. She also said the Rio Bravo Volunteer Fire Department has also assisted with many emergency calls.
“The call to action is extremely important,” Hernandez said. “In the meantime, we will continue with the support of the Webb County Volunteer Fire Department until we’re able to fend for our own. We will evidently get there we just need our community to support us, sign up and commit to volunteering.”
Hernandez said the City of El Cenizo will work with the Texas Forest Service and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service for training and equipment grants made available through their respective programs. She added that in the coming days she will meet with Laredo representatives and Fire Department leadership to see how they can assist El Cenizo and how they can continue working in partnership.
Anyone interested can pick up applications at the City of El Cenizo City Hall located at 507 Cadena or call 956-724-5916 for more information.
jorge.vela@lmtonline.com