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News from 2004
Airlife transports two patients after firefighters rescue them from vehicle
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December 11 - Jarret Fire/Rescue's Engine 1 responded to assist Primrose VFD at the scene of a major accident. Jarret personnel quickly set up their rescue tool in order to allow American Medical Response EMS personnel access to their patients. Two elderly patients were sucessfully extricated from their vehicle and handed over to an AirLife medical crew for further treatment and transport. Jarret Firefighters stretched an attack line to provide fire protection and an emulsifying agent was placed on the fuel.
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Autoshop Fire on HW 16
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December 9 - Engine 1 and Engine 2 answered an alarm for a structure fire at an autoshop in the early morning hours. Personnel from Southwest FD and Somerset VFD were requested to assist with the fire. Upon Engine 1's arrival their were heavy flames showing from inside the autoshop but all of the occupants had succesfully escaped. Jarret and Southwest personnel mounted an aggressive interior attack and quickly brought the fire under control. The occupant of the building was treated by firefighters for minor injuries and was transported by EMS to the hospital. The Fire Marshal's Office was called in to investigate the fire, and the cause is thought to be accidental.
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Hazardous Materials Response in Lytle
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December 8 - Engine 1 responded to assist Lytle VFD with for a Hazardous Materials Response. Engine 1's crew arrived on scene and located a male who had been exposed to a small amount of mercuric chloride. Firefighters identified the type of chemical, ensured proper deconatmination of the patient and started treating the patient while AMR-EMS personnel stood by to provide further patient care. He was safely removed and handed over to paramedics.
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Jarret battles house fire with SWFD
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December 2 - Engines One and Two responded to assist Southwest FD with a fire at a single family dwelling. Upon our arrival Jarret Firefighters joined personnel from SWFD in mounting an offensive attack. However, Chief Officers made the decesion to pull out all personnel because of an impending roof collapse. Operations were changed from an offensive attack to a defensive mode and exposures were protected. The house itself was a total loss. Investigators with the Bexar County Fire Marshal's Office were called in to conduct the investigation, and the cause is thought to be accidental.
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Overturned Pickup on Quintana Road Bridge
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6 November - In the early morning hours of 6 November, Jarret firefighters were notified of a major accident somewhere near FM 1604 and IH 35. The first units arrived in less than two minutes and located an overturned pickup truck on the Quintana Road Bridge. When firefighters began to assess their patient they realized that he was trapped inside his truck. To make matters worse, the truck was resting precariously on its side, threatening to topple down the slope. When Engine 1 arrived Jarret personnel immediately secured the truck using cribbing and shoring techniques. As ambulance personnel stood by, firefighters used a glass saw to cut through the truck's front windshield and extricated the man. He was taken to Wilford Hall Medical Center by ambulance. "The fact that he was wearing his seat belt probably saved his life." Commented Fire Chief Ortega who was in charge of the rescue operation.
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Jarret Battles Mobile Home Fire
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5 November - On the afternoon of 5 November Jarret Fire/Rescue was dispatched for a mobile home on fire in the 17000 Block of Benton City Road. Upon the arrival of Engine 1, the fire had already consumed more than half of the house. Crews from Southwest Fire Department and Somerset F.D. were requested to assist. Firefighting efforts were hampered by the large volume of smoke produced by the fire. Crews from all three departments conducted aggresive interior attacks in an effort to save some of the contents in the mobile home. The fire was stopped from spreading to one bedroom, but the house was a total loss. Captain John Ortega commented on the cause of the fire, "We are fairly sure it was electrical, but at this time, we are not able to conclusively determine exactly where it originated so for now we have no choice but to classify it as an undetermined cause." Thankfully no one was home at the time and no one was injured.
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Jarret Adds New Hazardous Materials Technicians
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29 October - Jarret Fire/Rescue is proud to announce the addition of two new Hazardous Materials Technicians to the roster. Fire Chief Ortega and Lieutenant Flores are currently undergoing training at Leon Valley F.D. to become certified Haz-Mat Techs. The training is being provided by Texas A&M's Engineering Extension Service, and is sponsored by the Bexar County Office of Emergency Management. This will give the department a total of four Haz-Mat Technicians. Captain Calvin Lloyd explained that the training was an invaluable resource to firefighters "The training that they will recieve, allows them to operate at a more advanced level than ordinary First Responders normally would. It involves in depth lessons on hazard identification, and control as well as subjects such as WMD response and basic toxicology. A Haz-Mat Tech is expected to be able to safely opearte in an offensive fashion during a hazardous condition in order to contain or control the hazard." Personnel from surrounding Fire Departments are also attending the class. "This will definately give the Fire Departments in the Soutwhest part of Bexar County better response capabilities and will drastically increase the number of technicians in the area. All in all it is a very good thing, and we are fortunate to be able to participate in it."
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Jarret Firefighters Create Scholarship For Von Ormy Students
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10 October - We are proud to announce the creation of the Arturo Martinez Scholarship Fund/Jarret Fire and Rescue Community Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship was created by the joint efforts of the Arturo Martinez Scholarship Fund and Jarret Fire and Rescue. To be eligible you must be a graduating senior who resides in Von Ormy or the surrounding areas and entering a university or community college as a full-time student in the Fall of 2005. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2005. See our scholarship page for more information.
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Jarret Offers Emergency Response Training to Members of the Von Ormy Community
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30 September - Jarret Fire & Rescue is pleased to be working in conjunction with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office and San Antonio Police Department's Volunteers In Policing Section to offer quality emergency response training to members of the Von Ormy Community. Assistant Chief Allison Hood has been primarily responsible for coordinating the activity, and feels that it will be very beneficial to both the Fire/Rescue Department, and the community at large. Chief Hood described the premise for the training. "The program is administered through a Federal Grant from FEMA. CERT, or Community Emergency Response Training, is designed with the goal to educate members of our community on conducting basic emergency response skills. In a disaster situation they would be integrated to assist public safety officers in their operations. This is our first CERT class and we are very excited to be a part of the program." For more information on becoming part of the CERT Program, community members are encouraged to call the Fire Station and speak to either Chief Hood, or Chief Ortega. |
Firefighters Battle Structure Fire For Four Hours
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27 September - Companies for Jarret F/R were toned out at approximately 0330 Hours, to respond to the corner of Alliann and Macdona La-Coste, to assist Southwest Fire Department with a structure fire. Engine 1 and Engine 2 responded and arrived on scene within ten minutes. Firefighters remained on location for four hours battling the stubborn blaze. Crews were able to salvage part of the structure and much of its contents. The structure was vacant at the time. Arson Investigators with the Bexar County Fire Marshal's Office were called in to continue the investigation. |
Jarret Responds To Large Scale Multiple Vehicle Fire.
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26 Spetember - Companies from Jarret Fire & Rescue responded to the 12000 Block of State Highway 16 to assist Primrose VFD with a large scale multiple vehicle fire. Brush Truck 1 initially answered the call for assistance along with Somerset Volunteer Fire Department. Engine 1 was assigned to an EMS call at the time but responded as soon as their patient was transported. Jarret F/R crews remained on the scene well into the evening extinguishing the many cars, trailers, trucks and tires that were involved in the fire. All together five county fire departments responded to the incident which took more than four hours to stabilize, Chief Engineer Dale Allen explained, "The problem was compounded by the heavy debris and car frames that were found on the property. It made it extrmely difficult to manuver the apparatus while trying to extinguish the fire." Final determination as to the origin and cause of the fire had not yet been made. |
I-35 Multiple Vehicle Accident
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September 24 - In the early morning hours of 23 September, Jarret Fire & Rescue was called out to the 15000 block of Interstate 35 South in Atascosa for a major accident. The first units to arrive on scene reported finding two vehicles involved in the accident, one of the vehicles was overtruned on the southbound lanes of the interstate. Jarret F/R personnel located a seriously injured man. Firefighters immediately started providing medical care. An AirLife Medevac Helicopter was requested and Jarret personnel set up a landing-zone. Within minutes the patient was airlifted to University Hospital. The driver of the second vehicle was not injured. |
Engine 1 Responds into Atascosa County
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September 1 - Jarret Fire & Rescue was called in to assist Somerset VFD and Atascosa County at the scene of a major accident on 27 August at approximately 2300 hours. The accident occured in the 10000 block of Stevens Road south of Somerset in Atascosa County when a Chevy Pickup collided with a tree. Engine 1 answered the call and arrived on the scene to assist Somerset Firefighters in extricating the seriously injured patient from the cab of his truck. Jarret F/R personnel also provided fire protection, and stabilized the vehicle during the extrication procedure. Using E-1's hydraulic rescue ram firefighters were able to extricate the patient and turn him over to an awaiting AirLife crew. The patient was airlifted to a San Antonio Hospital with serious injuries. |
Jarret Firefighters raise funds to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association
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August 14, Jarret Firefighters took to the streets from the morning until the afternoon in order to raise funds to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Firefighters accepted donations from passing mororists for about six hours. This is the second weekend that the firefighters have conducted this charity "boot-drive" this summer. The first event took place in May. So far more than $1500 have been donated to the MDA. Firefighters are hopeful that citizens will continue to support the MDA in its efforts.
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Engine 1 uses offensive attack to extinguish automotive shop fire
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July 26 - Engine 1 arrived on the scene of a single story metal framed automotive shop in the 12000 block of State Highway 16 south. Fires was visible and smoke was venting from the windows. Firefighters quickly used a rescue saw to force entry into the building and to ventilate the smoke. The engine company conducted an interior offensive attack and they were able to limit the fire spread and contain the fire quickly before too much damage had been sustained. Firefighters from Somerset VFD also responded to provide assistance. The Bexar County Fire Marshal's Office was called in to continue the investigation.
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Firefighters Free Patients Pinned In Car
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July 4 - At 0525 Hours on 4 July, Jarret Engine 1 responded to a Motor Vehicle Accident on State Highway 16 South near Watson Road. The accident involved four vehicles and three patients were injured, two of them had to be airlifted. Crews from Somerset Volunteer Fire Department as well as Southwest VFD assisted Jarret Fire/Rescue personnel at the scene. Two patients were pinned inside of their vehicles and firefighters had to use hydraulic rescue tools to free them from the wreckage. Firefighters worked feverishly to free the patients so that they could be transported rapidly to the hospital. Two AirLife medevac helicopters were used to transport the injured patients to the hospital. The crew from Engine 1 remained on the scene for several hours to support the Bexar County Sheriff's Office with their traffic investigation. Fire Chief John Ortega complimented all personnel involved for their assistance and dilligent work, "Everything fell into place as far as the rescue operation was concerned, all the departments worked extremely well together to extricate the patients and to get them transported in a timely manner."
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Lytle 18-Wheeler Fire
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June 8 - On the afternoon of 1 June 2004, Engine 1 responded to assist Lytle VFD with an 18-wheeler fire and explosion near the intersection of IH 35 and FM 3175, in the City of Lytle. Crews from Engine 1 arrived and immediately started to assist the Lytle crews with fire suprression efforts. The truck was hauling a load of broccoli and suffered extensive damage. The cab of the truck was entirely destroyed by the fire. Fortunately the driver escaped with only minor injuries. "We believe the fire was secondary to the truck colliding with a construction vehicle parked some 250 feet south of the fire scene." Lieutenant Stephen Flores stated. "Thankfully, no one was seriously injured and no one had to be transported by EMS." Fire Investigators from the Atascosa County Fire Marshal's Office, as well as the State Fire Marshal's Office were on the scene.
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Somerset Elementary Career Day
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May 21 - Jarret's Engine 1 arrived at Somerset Elementary School to conduct a fire-safety presentation in conjunction with the School's Career Day. Firefighters were able to demonstrate various life safety techniques such as 'stop drop and roll,' and the 'stay low and go' method of exitting a residential structure fire. Students in grades from kindergarten to fifth were given opportunities to interact with firefighters and ask questions. Among other things, students became familiar with the various types of equipment carried on the rig, such as structural turn-out gear, wildland gear, and chemical protective suits; they were able to watch a demonstration of an inch and a half attack line; and they took a tour of Engine 1. Students were also taught about first-aid, and the fire department's role in EMS Operations.
"We believe that it is imperative for the fire department to interact with community we serve, and believe that today's events helped to strengthen the bond between the department and the community." Fire Chief John Ortega stated, "It is of the utmost importance to stress the prevention of fires and injuries before they happen, so that we can avoid them all together. The guys enjoyed the opportunity to go out there and I think they had as much fun as the kids did."
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Jarret Responds to Bar-B-Q Patio Fire
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MAY 17 - At 1006 hours, Jarret Fire & Rescue's Engine 1 responded to assist Soutwhest Fire Department with a structure fire at the Bar-B-Q Patio in the 8700 block of Old Pearsall Road. Upon Engine 1's arrival crews encountered a fire in the cooking area of the structure. Firefighters from Engine 1 quickly laddered the building to ventilate the smoke and heat, while Southwest firefighters worked to extinguish the fire. The fire was contianed to one room and quickly brought under control; damage was estimated at $15,000. The Bexar County Fire Marshal's Office arrived on scene to conduct their investigation and the cause was thought to be accidental in nature.
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Voters Pass ESD by 4 to 1 Margin
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MAY 16 - Voters passed a proposition on the creation of Emergency Services District #5 by a 4 to 1 margin. The County Commissioner will name boardmembers for the new district. The board will determine needs and set budgets in time to begin service by Oct. 1.
The new district will serve Lytle, Somerset, Von Ormy and adjacent areas. Another ESD, appearing as No. 6 on the ballot, passed and includes areas to the south served by the Ata-Bexar and Sandy Oaks volunteer departments.
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Voters To Decide on Creation of ESD
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MAY 13 - On Saturday, May 15, residents in the Jarret, Southwest, Somerset, Lytle and the former Primrose coverage areas will vote on the creation of an Emergency Services District (ESD). The ESD, if passed, will provide Fire protection funding for our area by imposing a property tax not to exceed 10 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. Jarret Fire & Rescue is an all volunteer Fire Department and we strongly encourage voters to vote YES on the creation of the ESD. Doing so will provide a more steady and predictable source of funding for our Volunteer Fire Department and will allow our volunteers to focus on training and emergency respnse without the burden of fundraising.
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Jarret Assists Lytle With Killer Bee Swarm
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MAY 9 - At 1804hrs Jarret Fire and Rescue was dispatched to the 16500 block of I-35 South to assist Lytle VFD on a report
of a bee attack. The bees had killed two dogs and attacked one person. Wearing bee suits, firefighters located the hive in a nearby storage shed. Utilizing foam to disable the swarm, firefighters were able to dismantle the hive and kill the queen. They were cleared after approximately four hours of work. The aggressive nature of the incident led fire officials to suspect that the hive consisted of Africanized "Killer Bees."
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Jarret Hosts Joint Training
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MAY 2 - Jarret Fire and Rescue organized and hosted a multi-departmental training day. Firefighters and Emergency Response Personnel from Southwest VFD, Lytle VFD, Somerset VFD and Jarret gathered at the Jarret Station for a day-long Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers course. The training was provided by American Heart Association Certified Trainers. All of the participating departments have mutual aid agreements and routinely work together on calls throughout the area.
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Copyright © 2004 - 2008 Jarret Volunteer Fire Association, Inc.
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