The goal in submitting this information is to help our Port O’Connor Volunteer Fire Department (POC VFD) share what it is they do and why it is so very important that our community becomes more involved and aware of their needs. The VFD mainly focuses on fire and rescue…Most people may not realize, but that covers a lot in our small community.

In recent fundraisers, money was being saved to purchase a new fire engine (about $67,000 to date) as well as trying to keep equipment and gear updated. However, since Formosa made a large donation to the county, the county was able to designate funds to purchase an engine. So now the VFD has decided to concentrate on purchasing a very much needed rescue truck. This cost is $175,000. Most of the $67K will go towards this new goal.

WHAT IS A RESCUE TRUCK? It is the truck that will carry our first responders to an emergency situation where they provide the necessary care to stabilize a person(s) before the county EMS arrives.

Forty one calls were actually taken this year….here are some common examples of calls in our area:

A fisherman has injured himself at the end of the little jetties…His fishing buddy calls 911 and the first responders are able to transport the fisherman to the rescue truck where they are able to stabilize him….An elderly woman has fallen and possibly broken her hip….A child slips & falls off the dock…A car driving to school in the morning collides with a car that runs a stop sign at an intersection…at 3 am a call goes out that there is a structure fire…A man is having trouble breathing and cannot stand up…Another man is having a seizure…A child has climbed a dresser and it has fallen on him….A woman frying fish sets her kitchen on fire…A boater has fallen off his boat and his leg was sliced by the propeller…An elevator gets stuck with people inside…A man is having a heart attack in his back yard… A young person has fallen off a golf cart… Calls for assistance with brush and/or structure fires in our area… Our rescue truck and/or fire engine truck would very soon be on scene. They are also available to be on standby at certain events.

These men and women are volunteers that graciously donate their time and skill for the safety of our people and our properties. Let’s help ensure they are properly equipped in doing their jobs. Fundraisers are held throughout the year, but donations are accepted anytime. If you are unable to attend a fundraiser, please consider mailing a donation anytime of the year. The Port O’Connor Volunteer Fire Department is a non-profit organization and your donation is tax deductible.

PLEASE MAIL MONETARY DONATIONS TO:
POC VFD P.O. BOX 732 PORT O’CONNOR, TX 77982

As an avid POC VFD supporter myself, I encourage all to help support this absolute necessity of our community.
Thank You, Dawn Ragusin