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News from 2006
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Potranco Creek Rollover
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Dec 25th - Jarret was called to a vehicle rollover early Christmas morning near the Dominguez Prison. The pickup had rolled off the Potranco Creek bridge and was half-submerged in the cold misty water. Jarret firefighters Andrew and Stephen Flores were the first to arrive onscene. In an attempt to rescue any entrapped persons, Capt. John Ortega, Jr. made his way onto the overturned truck via a ladder from the Potranco bridge. No one was in the vehicle. The scene was secured by firefighters who remained on scene until the vehicle was removed from the creek.
A pickup truck was found in misty Potranco Creek early Christmas morning.
Capt. John Ortega, Jr. uses a ladder to reach the overturned vehicle and check for entrapped patients.
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Santa Visits Jarret
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 Dec 18 - Jarret held its annual Christmas party today at Jarret Station. Santa Claus showed up and gave presents to all the children and firefighters present. Afterwards, a friendly round of White Elephant was enjoyed by all. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the pot luck dinner and Engineer Dale Allen for bar-b-qing. Merry Christmas ya'll!
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Aerial Fireworks Ban
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 Dec 14 - The Bexar County Commissioners Court has adopted an Order, which
becomes effective December 15th, 2006, prohibiting the sale or use of
restricted fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Bexar County.
"Restricted Fireworks" means only those items classified under 49
C.F.R. part 173.100(r)(2) , as "skyrockets with sticks" and "missiles
with fins". Other types of fireworks are still permitted.
A person commits an offense if the person knowingly or intentionally
violates a prohibition established by this order. An offense under
this order is a class C Misdemeanor.
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Von Ormy Day Festival
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Dec 2nd - Jarret Fire and Rescue participated in the first Von Ormy parade in 30 years. Jarret also manned a first aid station and was on stand-by during the evening fireworks show. The Von Ormy Day festival celebrated Von Ormy's 120th birthday.
 Video of Von Ormy Day Fireworks 
Jarret firefighters pose with Count Von Ormy I, Pedro Lila Torres.
Sparky throws candy to the crowd during the parade.
Jarret's newest addition, Rescue 1, stages during the festival.
Jarret worked with Mr. W Fireworks to put on a safe fireworks show.
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Train-Ag Collision
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Nov 23 - Jarret responded to a train-ag collision near Kearney Road and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. The Union Pacific train struck a square-baler, which became pinned under the locomotive. No one was hurt in the accident, but crews spend a few hours freeing the bailer from under the train.
A local farmer volunteers his tractor to help free the squashed square-baler.
Asst. Chief Hood talks on the radio while crews work nearby.
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Jarret Elects 2007 Officers
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| Nov 13 - Jarret Volunteer Fire Association, Inc. elected its 2007 Board of Directors at its annual meeting. The 2007 Board will be:
John Ortega, Sr. - Fire Chief
Wayne Christien - President
Dale Allen - Vice President
Sall Martinez - Secretary
Scott Christien - Parlimentarian
Andrew Flores III - Chaplain
Allison Hood - Treasurer
2007 Jarret Board: Secretary, VP, Chief and Treasurer. The other elected members were at out of town fire training.
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Train Accident Near Kinney Rd
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Oct 25 - Jarret responded to a train-pedestrian accident near Kinney Road and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. Bexar County Sheriff's Office investigated the possible homicide. Jarret firefighters assisted the Sheriff's office and provided scene lighting.
Jarret Engine 1 provided scene lighting.
Bexar County Sheriff Deptartment investigates the scene.
Jarret Engineer Dale Allen positions additional lighting.
Emergency vehicles filled Pearsall Rd.
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Medio Creek Grass Fire
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Oct 1 - Jarret responded to a grass fire on the median of I-35 facing Medio Creek Ranch. The fire was contained and extinguished by Engine 1.
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Valero Vehicle Fire
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Sep 25 - Jarret responded to a vehicle fire in the parking lot of the Valero station at I-35 and 1604 Monday afternoon. Jarret Engine 1 responded and quickly extinguished the fire.
A smoke plume was visible to responders while en route to the call.
FF Andrew Flores III and FF Stephen Flores cool the eninge compartment after extinguishing the fire.
Chief John Ortega and FF Olivia Contreras inspect the vehicle.
The fire was quickly extinguished by Jarret Firefighters.
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Rife Lane MVA
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Sep 16 - Jarret responded to a motorcycle-vehicle collision on the access road of I-35 near Rife Lane Friday evening. While Jarret medics assisted two patients, Jarret firefighters established a landing zone for Airlife on the access road of I-35 in front of A.J.'s convenience store. Firefighters also quickly contained a fuel leak which posed a hazard to the rescue workers and patients. Engine 1 remained on scene for an extended period of time to provide Bexar County Sheriff Investigators lighting and other assistance.
Jarret, AMR, and Airlife medics assist a patient.
The accident scene immediately after a patient has been transported. Here you will see some of the medical equipment and medical bags Jarret medics have available when they respond.
FF Anna Doddridge gets information from a Bexar County Sheriff Deputy for the medical run sheet.
Engineers Dale Allen and Wayne Christien repack hose on Engine one, while incident commander Capt. Ortega speaks on the radio.
An Airlife helicopter parked in front of A.J.'s, which is one of Jarret's favorite places to get tacos.
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Quesenberry Road Fire
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| Sept 4 - Jarret responded to a fire near Quesenberry and Somerset Road. The fire quickly spead to a nearby abandoned mobile home and several vehicles. Tires, appliances and other items piled on the property made the smoke black and toxic. Somerset VFD assisted Jarret on the fire, as did Bexar County Rehab. Firefighters were able to save several nearby structures and contained the fire within minutes of arriving on scene. Somerset EMTs did a great job of monitoring firefighters coming out of the fire for exposure to toxic smoke and heat. The picture shows the smoke plume as viewed from Somerset Road.
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Watson Road Fire
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Sep 1 - Jarret was called to a mobile home fire on Watson Road in the early morning hours on Friday. Somerset VFD assisted Jarret with extra manpower and helped maintain a constant water supply. Bexar County Rehab also assisted firefighters on scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Watson Road Video
Video of Jarret firefights at work.
Engineer Trainee Wayne Christian signals to Somerset that the water tank has been re-filled.
FF Scott Christian cools hot spots near the origin of the fire.
FF Andrew Flores III attacks the fire through an external window.
Engine 1 was used as the primary apparatus on the Southside of the structure. Here you can see the supply line used to refill the tank and at least two attack lines being used by firefights.
Jarret and Somerset firefighters working together.
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Benton City Road Rollover
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Aug 27 - Jarret responded to a one car rollover on the I-35 access road near Benton City Rd early Sunday morning. Jarret firefighters extricated three patients from the overturned vehicle. Jarret also established a landing zone for Airlife to land on the access road of I-35. Jarret responded with two engines and over a half-dozen medics in under one minute. Great job guys!
Jarret firefigters rescued three patients trapped in the overturned vehicle
Jarret medics work with Airlife medics to transport a patient
Airlife descends onto the landing zone
Airlife successfully lands on the access road of I-35 with the help of Jarret firefighters.
Capt. John Ortega, Jr inspects the vehicle.
Jarret responded quickly with two engines and crews.
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Four new members attend ECA training
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 Aug 22 - Four Jarret firefighters are attending Emergency Care Attendant training at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. ECA certification prepares firefighters to assist licensed EMTs, under the supervision of a physician, to prepare and transport ill or injured patients, and to operate emergency vehicles and equipment such as life support units. Includes instruction in first aid and emergency medicine field techniques; patient stabilization and care; medical field communications; equipment operation and maintenance; emergency vehicle operation; and applicable standards and regulations. The four Jarret firefighters attending the training are our four newest members and ECA certification is just the begining of their medical training. Good luck guys!
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Jarret wins Bowl-a-thon
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| Aug 20 - Team Jarret avenged their 2005 defeat to Southwest VFD at the annual AMSF Scholarship Bowl-a-thon. This year Jarret sqeaking by Southwest by three pins to capture the first place prize. Coming in Third was Jarret's Team II led by Jarret Firefighter Brian Dwyer and family. And rounding out the field in last place was Cisco Fire Department, which was comprised of members of Cisco VFD and AMSF. The best bowler prize went to J.D. Brady of Cisco VFD with a 167 average. Thanks to all the bowlers who came out to support our scholarship.
Jarret and Southwest Bowlers in action.
More bowlers....
Southwest captured the 2nd place prize.
Jarret FF Brian Dwyer and family pose for the camera.
J.D. from Cisco VFD shows his best bowler and last place team ribbons.
Jarret won 1st place by three pins.
Jarret "plays it cool" while waiting for the final results...
Last but not least, Cisco VFD brought home the hardware...the last place team prize and the best bowler prize.
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Jarret and AMSF Award Scholarship
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June 28 - Jarret and AMSF awarded their second annual scholarship to Gilbert Reyna, Jr. of Southwest High School. Gilbert will be attending St. Mary's University and plans to major in Criminal Justice/Pre-Law. This year's award banquet was held at the Cadillac Bar and Grill and the guest speaker was Hon. Xavier Rodriguez, US District Judge for the Western District of Texas. Much fun was had by all and Jarret and AMSF have agreed to extend their successful partnership for another year. Check our scholarship page for more information on our scholarship program.
At the Jarret VFD/AMSF Boot drive, Sally Martinez gets ready for her turn holding the boot.
Jarret Firefighter Scott Chritian holds the boot at the back entrance to the Highway 16 Flea Market.
At our Scholarship Bowl-a-thon, Team Jarret holds up their third place awards.
At the Bowl-a-thon, Team Hooters holds up their last place awards.
Team Gonzalez poses before the Bowl-a-thon
Southwest VFD took home the first place trophey.
2005 Scholarship recipient Selena Mendoza and her team at the Bowl-a-thon.
Jarret Chief John Ortega lines up for a strike.
At the AMSF/Jarret Award Banquet, Jarret VFD poses with 2006 Scholarship winner Gilbert Reyna, Jr.
Jarret VDF poses for the camera at their table.
The Flores Family at the Scholarship Banquet
2006 Scholarship Recipient Gilbert Reyna, Jr. and family share a table with 2005 Scholar Selena Mendoza and family.
Art Martinez de Vara welcomes the crowd.
2006 award banquet cake.
The Vara Family listens to Guest Speaker United States District Judge Xavier Rodriguez
Fr. Ed Kelley, Pete and Lupe Gonzalez and the Vara family toast another sucessful scholarship year.
Judge Rodriguez delivers the keynote address.
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Firefighters Undergo Special Rescue Training
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| June 22 - Firefighter Scott Christian, Firefighter Daniel Tamez and Assistant Chief Allison Hood attended a rigorous three day class on high angle rescue techniques. Firefighters received instruction on various rope rescue procedures such as rappelling. High angle rescue is a specialized discipline within the technical rescue field. The knowledge and skils that firefighters gain in this training ensure that the department will remain on the cutting edge of new rescue techniques. The class was held in the City of New Braunfels.
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Florian Mass at Sacred Heart
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| May 21 - Jarret VFD celebrated the feast day of St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters, at Scared Heart of Jesus in Von Ormy, Texas. Jarret members participated throughout the mass by assisting with the readings, the offering and collection. Father Rudy also blessed the members and the fire engines. This was an opportunity for community members to become familiar with the Jarret firefighters who volunteer their time and energy to protect Von Ormy.
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Engine One Is Back In Service
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| May 5 - Engine One is back in service after nearly five months in the body shop. Engine One sustained damaged to the driver's door, front windshield and bumper during a call on Friday, January 13, 2006. Delay occured due to a paper mishap at the Pierce Manufacturing plant. Along with a new brush truck, we now have four apparatus.
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A. Flores Earns EMT!!
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 May 4 - Congratulations to Jarret Firefighter Andrew Flores III who has passed his EMT-Basic National Registry Exam. FF/EMT Flores is a third generation Jarret Firefighter and also serves Jarret as a Swiftwater Rescue Technician. He earned the highest exam score in Jarret history! |
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Chief's Report
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 March 17 - Von Ormy, Texas.
Greetings to all the citizens of Von Ormy and ESD # 5, I know it has been awhile since I have written anything concerning your fire department and I apologize for not keeping you informed, so here it goes. First I want to start off by saying thank you to our ESD Board Members and the tax payers of ESD # 5 for funding the departments. Great progress has been made towards improvements and equipment and believe me when I say that it would not have been possible without your help. Soon each department will have in thier inventory a brand new F-550 rescue truck, that alone will help out our community in so many ways. Somerset VFD will be getting a new fire station that they need really bad, Southwest VFD will be recieveing a 2005 Pierce Pumper and all the departments have recieved funds for equipment and training. All of this funding promotes the safety and well being of the firefighters and the people we serve and that is the primary reason we have the ESD tax. Taxation is a tremendous burden on us all, fuel prices going up like they are, insurance rates, school taxes, property taxes, it can all get very frustrating but I dont have to tell you that ! But what I can tell you is that your money is being spent wisely and with the utmost care. The ESD Board Members don't just dish out the money willy-nilly, not a chance ! They are very prudent in the way they fund us and that is the way it should be. Your hard earned money is going to good use and the good thing about this tax is that it all goes back into the community the way it should be. The future looks very good for the citizens of ESD # 5 as far as the fire departments are concerned in order to bring you the best service possible. I encourage you to go out and visit with your local department and see what is new and get to know your " volunteers " ( yes we are still volunteers ) and proud of it. Thank you so much for your support, and be safe.
Chief John Ortega Sr.
P.S. Please don't forget there is still a State wide burn ban so please becarefull. I don't see it being lifted anytime soon and when it does expire be sure to call Bexar County Fire Marshall's office for a burn permit, it's free and and it makes for a safer burn, thank you.
Fire Chief #200
John Ortega Sr
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Jarret Firefighter Appointed to ESD Board
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Jan 19 - Jarret firefighter Art Martinez de Vara has been appointed Commissioner of Bexar County Emergency Services District #5 by the Bexar County Commissioner's Court. Commissioner Martinez de Vara was sworn in at the January meeting of the ESD Board by Board President Joe Kierstad. His term is for two years and ends December 2007.
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Jarret Purchases New Bunker Gear
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Jan 12 - Jarret received new bunker gear this week. The new gear is a great improvement over our old gear including new safety features and each set custom tailored for the firefighter it is assigned to. Posing with the new gear are firefighters Stephen Flores, John Ortega, Jr., Andrew Flores III, Scott Cristien, and Art Martinez de Vara.
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Copyright © 2004 - 2008 Jarret Volunteer Fire Association, Inc.
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