Local firefighters excel at TEEX training

COLLEGE STATION-Local volunteer firefighters attended the TEEX fire academy and stood out amongst other firefighters earning several awards and learning valuable skills in the process. The TEEX academy is one of the premier academies and provides extensive training in numerous fields.

Firefighters from all over gather in College Station for the weeklong training and compete in various skill sets. Firefighters also put on a firefighting exhibition that is open to the public.

Firefighters from Todd Mission VFD and Shiro VFD were fortunate to send a section of their staff to the training. “We are fortunate that a couple of our personnel represent two departments and are able to bring back information and skills to both departments,” said TMVFD chief Cassandra Malone.

Malone also said she is grateful to Whitehall VFD fire chief Larry Vickers and assistant chief Keith Gilbert, “We are forever thankful to our mutual aid department for working with us to allow us to continually send personnel to further their education and skillsets. Whitehall VFD coordinated with TMVFD to aid and with additional apparatus and manpower throughout the district while staff attended training.

In phase one, Lenora Busse, Bryan DuBois, Liese Harrell and Jarett Smith were recognized for having the quickest time and most thorough sweep through the SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) crawl maze.

Katrina Debler representing Shiro and Todd Mission Volunteer Fire Departments was recognized for demonstrating good skills in phase three of the training.

Malone was recognized as the MVP on phase five skills in her battalion. Les Watson of TMVFD and SVFD received recognition for radio communications.

Malone said furthering the education of personnel is valuable for the departments and having a top-notch program such as TEEX so close is a blessing.