OAK HILL -- When Loy Mackey first moved to Oak Hill, he was comforted by the
fire hydrant across the street from his house - until he discovered there was no
fire department to use it. In Sept. 1967, Mackey and two others, Kermit Burrer
and Bill Jackson, decided they wanted a fire department and started knocking on
doors for donations.
They were able to raise enough money to incorporate the department in April
1968. In June 1968, they were ready to buy their first truck but found that
ready-made trucks were too expensive. They were able, however, to purchase an
old military crash truck.
The hoses and other equipment needed repair, but the young department was able
to get the work done, giving them their first operational fire truck.
The population of the area continued to grow and, in April 1969, they started
trying to raise more money to buy more equipment. They were still relying on
door-to-door soliciting and they also sponsored a rodeo and held benefit dances.
Then, in Dec. 1969, they ordered a new truck.
In early 1970, it became apparent that new sources for money were needed. The
old methods weren't raising enough. They decided to charge an annual
participation fee based on the type of building to be protected.
The current fee schedule charges $25 annually for a home, barns, and
outbuildings over a certain size cost $10 and businesses are charged by square
feet of floor space.
Participation fees are still the main source of money although the Ladies
Auxiliary raises substantial funds which are used to purchase needed equipment.
The fire fighters are volunteer and receive no pay but the department pays for
insurance on both men and equipment. There are other expenses to be met,
including a phone system with one primary fire phone and seven extensions which
cost over $100 each month.
In 1969, O. B. McKown Jr., a concerned resident, gave the department use of his
own truck which had been modified for use as a fire truck. The department
eventually purchased the truck from McKown.
In 1970, the department bought a 6,000 gallon tank truck which was used as a
portable fire hydrant and a 1,400 gallon gas truck which was turned into a
pumper.
Fire fighters attended a 15-hour training course conducted by Texas A&M
University and the local Red Cross provided first aid training.
In the autumn of 1973, the first truck was wearing out from considerable
off-road use and was sold. It was replaced by a new one ton truck which the
department converted to a pumper. The new truck first saw service fighting a
grass fire on the Fourth of July 1974.
Because more fire hydrants have been placed in the area, the department is
trying to sell the 6,000 gallon tank truck. The 1,400 truck is being used in its
place. A two-ton truck has been bought and is being converted into a pumper by
the fire fighters.
The Ladies Auxiliary has been invaluable to the department and all fund raising
except for membership contributions is their responsibility. They have recently
purchased a portable electric generator and extension cords and lights for
fighting night fires and a large exhaust fan.
The ladies are also trained as fire fighters and are qualified to operate all
the equipment possessed by the department. They can often respond faster and
have the necessary equipment ready at the site by the time the men get there.
They also provide food and drink for fire fighters who are out for extended
periods of time handling grass and range fires.
Department President is Loy Mackey and Vice-President is Mike Gissel. Ben
Jungman is Secretary, Jim Harvey is Treasurer and Pete Peterson is Chaplain. The
fire fighters are led by Chief Joe Nelson, Assistant Chief Bill Schlueter,
Captain L. D. Krabe, Lieutenants David Mackey, Leon Leger, Joe McNair, and David
Tazder. There are 27 active fire fighters on the roll at the present time.
The Oak Hill Volunteer Fire Department, along with other volunteer fire
departments throughout Texas, are proof that concerned citizens can make their
communities a better place to live if they care enough.