Mineral Wells Area News

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 18, 2025

PALO PINTO COUNTY, TX — The Palo Pinto County Emergency Services District No. 1 (ESD) Board of Commissioners wishes to express its gratitude to all the volunteer firefighters and first responders along with their families who have served with the Lone Camp Volunteer Fire Department over the years.

“Historically, Lone Camp VFD has been known for their excellent response to wildland fires,” noted ESD Board President Brent Nance. “We sincerely thank every volunteer who has given their time and expertise to serve their neighbors through the years.”

The ESD reassures Lone Camp area residents they should have no concerns about emergency coverage in their area following the Board’s March meeting vote to not offer the Lone Camp VFD an agency agreement for 2025-26.

In fact, neighboring departments within the ESD have already been successfully responding to calls in the Lone Camp VFD area for over a year, ensuring continuous protection with no gaps in service.

“Our taxpayers’ safety remains our highest priority,” Nance emphasized. “Adjustments to service provider coverage areas within the ESD are designed to enhance response times by streamlining our dispatch process and ensuring the closest available units respond immediately to emergencies.”

The ESD Board working alongside different departments and District Fire Chief Danny Watkins have carefully redrawn service area boundaries to ensure optimal emergency response times for all residents.

With Lone Camp VFD having one of the smallest service areas in the district, neighboring departments will be able to incorporate these areas into their coverage with minimal adjustments to their response protocols.

The Board’s decision to not offer Lone Camp VFD an agency agreement for 2025-26 followed an extensive review of service data. Analysis revealed several challenges, including difficulties with emergency call response, delayed response times, no participation in county-wide interagency training programs, and a continuing decline in volunteer staffing levels.

These staffing challenges were not due to any fault of the dedicated volunteers, who also maintain full-time jobs elsewhere. Rather, it reflects a nationwide trend affecting volunteer departments. When emergency calls came in, the station frequently experienced “tone outs” – unanswered calls for help – which could result in delays of up to six minutes before another agency could be dispatched to the emergency.

Volunteer Fire Departments across the county are actively looking and recruiting staff. Residents who wish to volunteer are encouraged to contact their local fire departments now serving their areas. Opportunities exist not only for firefighters but also for support roles who help keep departments running efficiently.

The ESD continually works to standardize training and procedures across its contracted volunteer fire department service providers to create a more unified emergency response system throughout the county. This standardization includes improved data collection processes that better document calls for service — crucial information needed when applying for state and federal grants to secure additional funding. Ultimately, the ESD’s goal is to lower the community’s ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating, a standard measure that directly affects insurance rates for property owners in the areas served by these fire departments.

Residents with questions regarding emergency service coverage are encouraged to contact the Palo Pinto County ESD No. 1 office at 940-859-0880 or board@palopintoesd1.com

About Palo Pinto County Emergency Services District # 1: Palo Pinto County Emergency Services District No.1 is responsible for providing fire protection and emergency medical services to designated areas within Palo Pinto County. The ESD contracts with volunteer fire department service providers across the county for fire protection and with Sacred Cross for full time staffed EMS services. Funded through property and sales tax, the ESD’s mission is to ensure that all District residents have access to reliable emergency services.