| The fire service is not a social club or a hobby. It is a serious commitment to community safety.
Thursday night is designated as truck-check night at the San Leon Volunteer Fire Department. Every vehicle, pump, saw, tool, and piece of equipment is carefully checked, started, fueled, inspected, and made ready for service. This level of preparation is vital because in an emergency, saying “we didn’t know it wasn’t working” is never acceptable.
Tonight, truck checks were completed around 11:30 PM. Most department members have full-time jobs and early morning responsibilities. Despite the late hour, some of the newer firefighters requested one more lesson. Assistant Chief Jody Garcia responded to their enthusiasm by gearing up and beginning instruction, without postponing the training.
Assistant Chief Garcia is committed to providing training to every member willing to learn. With a fire service career that began in 1995, his background includes experience with Bacliff FD, La Marque FD, Texas City FD, San Leon FD, and years in industrial settings. His expertise is regularly shared with the next generation of firefighters.
Training is approached with the understanding that lives may depend on it. Late nights, additional drills, hands-on practice, and answering questions after training are all part of the process. The goal is to create firefighters who are prepared, skilled, and able to perform during emergencies.
Tonight’s lesson focused on entering through an elevated window. Assistant Chief Garcia first demonstrated proper techniques, using webbing attached to his tool to control and retrieve it after entering. Each member then practiced the evolution, climbing, learning, and improving their skills through hands-on repetitions.
No shortcuts, participation trophies, or pretense are allowed. Training is about readiness—when the real emergency strikes, only proper preparation counts.
San Leon Volunteer Fire Department is dedicated to developing firefighters who can think critically, adapt, manage stress, and deliver help when others are facing their most challenging moments.
If you are considering joining the fire service, be aware of what it requires: commitment, discipline, training, sacrifice, brotherhood, sisterhood, and service. Skills can be taught, and training provided, but you must bring dedication, discipline, and a willingness to work hard.
If you believe you have what it takes, you are invited to train, serve, and earn your place on the team.
San Leon Volunteer Fire Department: Train hard, show up, be ready, serve your community. |
