Aug. 27—MIDLAND — Oncor Cares Foundation is announcing its most recent investment in Texas communities: $650,000 to support critical training and equipment for 26 fire departments across West and Northwest Texas. Oncor, the largest transmission and distribution utility in Texas, founded the Oncor Cares Foundation to help expand Oncor's charitable giving and support for the many communities Oncor serves.
Spanning 17 counties, these volunteer departments were specifically selected based on their volunteer status, community value and their unique, arid local conditions. Each volunteer department will receive an equal grant of $25,000 to be primarily focused on purchasing new firefighting equipment or training to elevate the department's preparedness and response capabilities.
"At Oncor, we are constantly searching for opportunities to prioritize safety and support our safety partners who work hand-in-hand with us to serve Texas communities. We recognize and appreciate the life-saving role of our volunteer firefighters and are honored to provide these 26 departments with funds to secure high-quality firefighting equipment and additional training," said Debbie Dennis; Senior Vice President, Chief Customer Officer, Chief HR Officer for Oncor, and Chairman and President of the Oncor Cares Foundation.
"Maintaining strong partnerships with first responders like these across our service area is incredibly important to Oncor and all of our team members. We're excited to see the impact this gift has on each volunteer fire department, and look forward to continuing to support their mission of protecting local families, homes and businesses."
" The Northeast Midland Volunteer Fire Department is grateful for this support from Oncor and the Oncor Cares Foundation that will better enable our team to keep our community safe. Grants and opportunities like this not only better equip us as firefighters but also allow us to more effectively protect ourselves, our loved ones and our neighbors," said Chief of Northeast Midland Volunteer Fire Department Jason Duran.
A list of all volunteer fire departments that received a gift reads:
Ackerly VFD; Dawson County
Andrews VFD; Andrews County
Bluff Dale VFD; Erath County
Borden County VFD; Borden County
Carbon VFD; Eastland County
Dublin VFD; Erath County
Eliasville Rural VFD; Young County
Friberg-Cooper VFD; Wichita County
Gardendale VFD; Ector County
Greenwood VFD; Ector County
Groom VFD; Carson County
Holliday VFD & Rescue Inc.; Archer County
Howard County VFD; Howard County
Lake Sweetwater VFD; Nolan County
Lingleville VFD; Erath County
Maryneal VFD; Nolan County
Monahans VFD; Ward County
Northeast Midland County VFD Inc.; Midland County
Olden VFD; Eastland County
Panhandle VFD; Carson County
Skellytown Area Volunteer Firefighters-EMS Association Inc.; Carson County
Strawn VFD; Palo Pinto County
West Odessa VFD; Ector County
White Deer VFD; Carson County
Wink County VFD; Winkler County
Environmental conditions in West and Northwest Texas have long posed unique challenges for fire departments, particularly due to low humidity, high winds, scorching temperatures and limited rainfall. Additionally, a large portion of volunteer fire departments in these areas operate with hand-me-down equipment and gear, leaving them less prepared than their federally funded counterparts to most effectively and safely battle fires.
The first three grants were given to Northeast Midland County Volunteer Fire Department, West Odessa Volunteer Fire Department and Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department at an in-person gathering in Midland on Tuesday, Aug. 27 that featured an appreciation lunch for the volunteer firefighters in each department. The remaining grants will be delivered to the volunteer fire departments in the coming days.
"Training and equipment can make or break a successful firefighting situation," said Chief Ray LeBlanc of the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department. "This grant funding will help us continue to safely serve local residents and neighborhoods, and our department is grateful to Oncor and the Oncor Cares Foundation on behalf of the Greenwood and Midland communities."
"Volunteer firefighting is a tough and life-threatening challenge and having the funds to ensure our equipment is trustworthy and our firefighters have the training they need is crucial to helping rise up to that challenge each day," said Chief Austin Harden of the West Odessa Volunteer Fire Department. "We appreciate Oncor and the Oncor Cares Foundation's support and look forward to putting this grant funding to good use."
The Oncor Cares Foundation is supported by contributions from various sources including Oncor. Contributions made by Oncor to the Oncor Cares Foundation are not recovered through its rates nor paid for by Oncor customers. For more information about Oncor and its community initiatives, please visit TheWire.Oncor.com.
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