First, I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Robert Moore and I currently serve in the role of Fire Chief for the West Lake Limestone Volunteer Fire Department (WLLVFD). I became Chief of the department in August of 2023. Let me say I am happy to lead our department in serving you in times of need.
What qualifies me to lead the department as Fire Chief? Let me tell you a little about myself. I started in the fire service in 1975 when I joined the Channelview Volunteer Fire Department. During my 15 years with Channelview, I served in the roles of FF/Paramedic, Captain, Fire Marshall, and Asst. Chief. During this same time, I was also an Industrial Fire Fighter while working for Arco Chemical. With Arco I served on the volunteer Fire Brigade until I took the job of Fire and Safety Supervisor. After 22 years with Arco my wife and I decided to relocate to College Station Texas to go to work for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, Emergency Services Training Institute as an instructor. I spent 27 great years training emergency response personnel in all areas of emergency services ultimately taking the role of Director of the Emergency Services Training Institute. My 27 years at A&M was the most fulfilling time in my career, teaching firefighters from all over the world while at the same time learning new skills from them. During my time at Texas A&M I also had the privilege of being appointed by Gov. Perry to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection where I served 11 years as a commissioner with the last 6 years as Chair of the Commission. Let me say I’ve been blessed to be able to serve in many roles in the Texas Fire Service.
In December of 2022, my wife and I decided it was time to retire. We had a house on the lake for about 4 years, so we decided to move here permanently in April of 23 and make it a home. Once you are in the fire service it is very hard to stay away and not help others, hence, I jumped right back in and joined WLLVFD!
Pg. 2 Meet the Boards. Introduction to ESD #2 and WLLVFD.
Pg. 3 Happenings at West Lake Limestone VFD
Pg. 4 Community Relations
The WLLVFD serves you through a contract agreement with the EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT #2 (ESD #2). This contract funds WLLVFD operations. A five member Board manages ESD #2, and directs public funds from the property taxes and sales taxes generated within the District. This year our ESD #2 board saw three new members and two returning members.
The board does a great job working with the WLLVFD in providing the necessary funds to run the fire department and striving for the best interests of the ESD #2 community. For more information go to the WLLVFD/ESD2 website.
Two groups manage WLLVFD: administrative and operational. The Fire Chief serves on both groups due to having overall responsibility for the fire department. The management of the fire department is as follows:
WLLVFD is in a transitional period. Transition comes with new leadership. The department has a new Chief and two new members on the fire department board. Our membership strives to provide you with the most expedient and professional care possible. Currently the department is comprised of 20 members: 11 responders with varying experience and knowledge, 6 support team members who help in various aspects of departmental operations including administrative roles, and 3 associates. Remember we are all volunteers with our own lives and challenges and are not always available to support all of the calls received. This is why we are calling on anyone who has interest to join our department and help us reach the goal of great public service. We need you!
During the COVID period many companies realized that employees could do their jobs from home just as well as if they were in the office. So the companies allowed this to continue after the COVID period was over. This allowed a transient workforce to live where they wanted. Our communities on the lake saw many weekenders become permanent residents. More people in the community has impacted the call volume we have; thus, the need for more members. Come join us today!
This picture shows a Fire Engine similar to the one we have on order. Your help, in the form of donations, will help greatly in our ability to complete the purchase.
Our department is in the process of updating equipment and the training of membership. We are excited to announce we have ordered a new fire engine that will be here at the end of March 2025. The new engine is a Pierce Responder. Together with ESD #2, we felt it was time to update the fire department fleet. We have created a plan to surplus older units in the coming years and replace with new or newer more modern units. This effort is part of our goal to provide the support and service you need as ESD #2 members.
I want to thank my predecessor Chief Randy Denzer, who prior to leaving the department, applied for a personnel protective equipment (PPE) grant through the Texas A&M Forest Service. With this grant we are able to upgrade our PPE to better protect our members during responses.
Our fire department meets on the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Tuesday of each month at 7:00p.m. at Station 1. The first Tuesday is our regular business meeting and the remaining meetings are for in-house training and equipment preventative maintenance. After each fire we responded to we hold an “After Action” on the closest Tuesday Meeting, to evaluate and improve our response.
We also have four responders starting a 12-week program for Fire Fighter 1 certification. We received a training grant from the Texas A&M Forest Service to pay the $700 tuition for each student. Once they are certified this should increase our abilities to serve you.
We value a partner-based relationship with the community we serve. We hold several events during the year in an effort to involve the community and also raise funds for the department for capital items such as rescue tools, funding for a rehab unit, and funding to help pay for future apparatus. Events like our Annual Fish Fry and Breakfast with Santa are important for the community to come see their Fire Department and meet its members.
Another community development effort is our partnership with the Red Cross “Sound the Alarm” program. This program is to ensure homes are equipped with smoke detectors. There are numerous types that can be installed depending on the home’s occupants needs. Fire department members are giving their time to install these smoke detectors within our service area. If you are in need of smoke detectors contact the Red Cross through their website at Sound the Alarm, check our Facebook page or go to the WLLVFD/ESD2 website page. You can also call our secretary, Kelly Witten, at (254) 537-2565 for more information.
In closing I want to say you are always welcome to visit our stations and see the equipment we have. And, if you are interested in being a part of the Fire Department we can definitely use your help. The more members in all of our positions the better we can provide the service we all deserve.
Thanks,
Chief Robert Moore
All meetings are open to the public.
Meetings are on First, Second, and Fourth Tuesday of the month beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Fire Station 1 located at 6614 FM 937 Thornton, TX 76687