Chief's Reports
June 27, 2026 Fire Chief's Annual Report
June 2025 – June 2026 was moderate operational year for the VFD. We currently have 14 firefighters and 12 support team members and 5 auxiliary members. From June 2025 – June 26, we responded to 14 EMS calls. Whether they were lift assists or an escort to the location, we provided a much- needed assistance to our EMS responders. We made 1 welfare check for family and friends who were concerned that they had been unable to contact their friends and families. We responded to 3 calls for fire, and 3 calls for smoke. We assisted Fort Davis VFD with a road accident. We came to the assistance of our community members 5 times and we burned the brush pile 4 times. For a total of 31 events. We lost a member of the support team. Sandi Billingsley was a long-time member of the FDVFD, EMS and DMR support.
We had AEP send a company out to mitigate under their power lines. It resulted in a very large chip pile that is available for anyone who wants to take some.
From June to December 2024, we responded to a fire at the Bloys trash dump, 2 reports of smoke, 10 EMS calls, one wellness check, one community assist and burned the brush in July and October.
In July, we help a community member who ran off the road on High Lonesome. One EMS call, one call for smoke and we burned the brush pile. Marvin finished the renovation of the Buffalo tank.
In August we had 2 EMS calls and we were called to put a out a fire at the Bloys garbage dump. Fort Davis worked it the day before but it re-ignited and FD chief Olivas asked us if we could go mop up. We help a resident who had driven off the road. Members of our department attended a class on what to do when you have a downed power line or electrical pole on fire held By AEP in Marfa. It was a very good class. Lots of really good information.
In September, no fire, no EMS calls and one wellness check. We finalized the application for our $60,000 dollar communications grant through the Yarbrough foundation. We were award a $25,000 equipment grant through the TFS.
In October, we had 4 EMS calls and no fire calls. We attended the national Fire prevention event at the Fort Davis elementary School. We winterized all of our water tanks. We burned the brush pile. The big news was that after 13 + years of being on the list and even told there was no more list, we were awarded a $165.000 dollar grant for a new type 6 brush truck grant and a $45,000 dollar grant for a slip-on tank and hose reel. $295,000.00 dollars in grant money awarded to our department is unprecedented. Now starts the process of looking for funding.
In November, we had 3 EMS calls, no calls for fire and one call for smoke. Our check for $60,000 dollars came in and we finalized our order for our new radios. I turned down the $45,000 dollar grant. We did not have any need for it and I made the call that it should go back in to the mix so that another department could be award that grant. We have no truck to put a new slide in on or a place to store such a large piece of equipment. We had an EMS call on Cedar Trail where the FD EMS ambulance could not reach the location. We loaded the patient into the back seat of B72 and drove them down to the awaiting ambulance. The event reinforces the need for a UTV ambulance. Was turned down for funding from the ESD to purchase our new truck.
In December, we held out annual Fire Chiefs Christmas party. No EMS, no calls for fire. Grace Van Tine was added as a support team member. We purchased a Kawasaki Mule with our equipment grant. It was $24,050.00 and we have to pay 10% so the mule cost us $2405.00. I uploaded the documents for the UTV to the Fire Connect Portal with TFS. We wait for their approval.
We placed our order with Siddon – Martin for our new type 6 brush truck. They did not require a down payment and they said we should have our truck in October of 2026. It was $168,000.00. We will get $156,750 from the TFS and we have to come up with $11,250.00 from our accounts. But we have pay up front and we then we get reimbursed in 4-6 months. I am still looking for funding because we do not have 168 thousand in our bank accounts.
January 1, 2026 through June 27, 2026 we had two fires and one call for smoke. We had 5 EMS calls, 1 Fort Davis Fire assist, 3 community member assists, and we burned the brush pile in January and May.
In January, we had no EMS calls, no fires, and one call for smoke. We burned the brush pile. We added Larry Davis as our newest firefighter. I have started the application process to secure a loan for our truck with WTCCU. We will have to move our banking to them if they are to loan us the money.
In February, we had one call to assist Fort Davis for a fire on the Largent ranch. We sent 6 members of the department to Fire School. No EMS calls.
I finalized the documentation for the equipment grant. I received notice that our purchase was approved. Jeremy William is our TFS area representative and would have to inspect our purchase to submit his documentation. Thankfully all I had to do was take pictures and send a copy of the title for him to complete the process. Now we wait for our reimbursement.
We received our radio equipment form American communications on the 12th. Four 100-watt mobile base stations for our trucks and 16 hand held radios with charges, mic and spare batteries. They are analog and digital capable which prepares us for the future. $60,277.80 worth of radios!
In March, we had no EMS and no calls for fire. We trained with our new radios and the range of coverage has greatly expended. There are still a few bad spots but over all it is a great improvement.
In April, we had no EMS or Fire Calls. We were called to help Fort Davis with a motorcycle accident by Point of Rocks. We send a B73 into town for the Sherriff departments annual Sound Off. We received our check from the FS for the UTV. I started the process of updated our lease agreements for the Adopt – A – Tank program. I need to remap the locations. There are some tanks listed that are not there and some tanks there that are not listed. We hosted our Spring Firewise event April 11. We added a new firefighter, Tommy Vick to our department.
In May, we had one EMS call, one fire in the DMR, and we burned the brush pile. Marvin has been working with Paramedic Bert Lagarde, to come up with what we need in a UTV ambulance. Marvin brought to our training May 8th a quote for a ASAP Stryker UTV ambulance for $174,400.38. Now it was my turn to find the money. I was advised to contact FMH foundation out of Midland, TX. I placed the call and was sent an invitation to apply for a grant. I have to have the letter of intent in by July.
May 20th brought a call to my home from a concerned resident who claimed she saw smoke on Yellowknife and Tomahawk. I called our firefighters in to investigate. Unfortunately for us we looked all around the Yellowknife and Tomahawk area and did not find anything. Our area resource specialist with the TFS, Jeremy Williams heard me on the radio and came out with a two-man team to see if we needed help. The TFS had a hand crew stationed in Fort Davis because of the predicted storms in the area. After not finding anything, we all left the station but Assistant Chief Kevin Honeycutt, had a feeling so he drove to the home of the person who called in and asked her where exactly did she see smoke. She pointed to the north east. AC Honeycutt drove up to a higher elevation and sure enough saw smoke we could not see from the Yellowknife or from Tomahawk when he and Ed first drove down to the end of the road. The fire was toward the end of Tomahawk on the ridge top. One lone flaming tree, hit by lighting during the early afternoon storm. I called our team back and they were able to put the tree out. It was close to the Geary ranch boundary not accessible by road. We named it the Horseshoe fire as a horse shoe was found by the tree. The FS did come back out and sent a team to check to make sure it was cold, as high winds were expected overnight. Our team did a good job. It was completely cold. Thank you, Kevin Honeycutt, had he not listened to his gut, it could have easily spread as the tree fell over and the winds started. Just for the record. We did ask the FS to come back out to assist with this fire thinking they would send the same team. Instead, we had 10 + trucks, around 30 firefighters, an ambulance, and a utv ambulance. Its good to know when we call, they take us seriously. I felt bad about all the equipment sent but was told, they were just sitting around the hotel so it was good training for them to gear up and come out.
Our Memorial Day fundraiser, The Whole Enchilada was a great success. I was home sick but I was told the food was good and people had a lot of fun. We raised around $2500.00
So far in June we had two EMS call, no fire and one community assist. We set up a tent at the Smoke on the Mountain event. We welcomed a new fire fighter, Dan Clark and new support, Jeremy Whitaker. I got notice from Siddon Martin that our truck was now scheduled for delivery some time in the first two weeks of July. I had to meet with WTCCU and advise them of our new time line. They assured me that we would have our check by the first of July. We are borrowing $100,000.00 and I have secured between an out-side loan and our own funds the addition $68,000.00. I am hoping if I can get our truck inspected quickly then we might only have to make two to three payments.
I submitted the letter of intent to apply for our UTV ambulance with the FMH foundation. 6-22-26
Just this week 6-23-26, the Jeff Davis Co Sherriff department has given us a Kabota UTV with a slid in foam and water tank and hose real that has been sitting in the recycle yard for the last few years. Two of our firefighters looked it over and said it was mechanically sound if a little sun faded. We will have to do a tune up and replace fluids and maybe new tires. I have asked an area contractor for a quote to build a car port type structure off the sea container so that we can place our 4 utvs out there. I will have to move the 5 ton out when our new truck comes in. If we get the grant for the UTV ambulance it will go in bay one. We are also applying for a grant from the King foundation for a “jaws of life”. The equipment and training will run around 65 – 70,000.00. I have always felt that it is not a matter of if but when, we will have a serious head on collision in the DMR. Also on my wish list is solar panels and batteries to power the repeater building on Apache MT. We have had several power outages that were longer than normal and we when we lose power, we lose the ability to contact and be contacted by radio as the repeater is down with out power.
One of our firefighters just completed a 9-month course in San Antonio given by TDEM, Texas Department of Emergence Management. Congratulations to Wendi Bates! She completed her NREMT certification and Ham license as well as Emergence management course work. She is now the Emergency Management Coordinator for Hudspeth County. She called me about applying for a grant opportunity that come through her office. In filling out the application I come up with these numbers:
In 2023 we responded to 44 calls. 15 fire, 20 EMS, 6 community assists and 3 false alarms call for smoke.
In 2024 we had 37 calls. 8 fire, 14 EMS, 13 community assists and 2 false alarms.
In 2025 we had 44 calls. 5 fire, 24 EMS, 10 community assists, and 5 false alarms.
So far in 2026 we have had 2 fire, 5 EMS, 3 community assist and 1 false alarm.
Let’s hope the year continues as it has started.
I want to thank everyone for all their hard work throughout the year. I joined the department as the board secretary in 2012. These last 14 years have flown by. So many changes for the better as we continue to improve our ability to fight fire. I am thankful to be able to continue to serve our community.
We are always looking for volunteers!
As always, be safe and be vigilant. See smoke or fire call 911.
Edna Queen,
Fire Chief
DMPOAVFD, INC.
June 11, 2026 Chief's Report
From May 12th, 2026 through June 11th 2026, we had 1 EMS call and one fire in the DMR.
One of our firefighters just completed a 9-month course in San Antonio given by TDEM, Texas Department of Emergence Management. Congratulations to Wendi Bates! She completed her NREMT certification and Ham license as well as Emergence management course work. She is now the Emergency Management Coordinator for Hudspeth County.
We had a resident call our paramedic Bert Lagarde to come check on a woman with rapid heart rate. Thankfully he was able to convince her to go directly to the hospital. Mr. Lagarde call 911 for an ambulance and drove her to the mailboxes to meet them.
May 20th brought a call to my home from a concerned resident who claimed she saw smoke on Yellowknife and Tomahawk. I called our firefighters in to investigate. Unfortunately for us we looked all around the Yellowknife area and did not find anything. Our area resource specialist with the TFS, Jeremy Williams heard me on the radio and came out with a two-man team to see if we needed help. The TFS had a hand crew stationed in Fort Davis because of the predicted storms in the area. After not finding anything, we all left the station but Assistant Chief Kevin Honeycutt, had a feeling so he went to the person who called in and asked her where exactly did she see smoke. She pointed to the north east. AC Honeycutt drove up to a higher elevation and sure enough saw smoke we could not see from the Yellowknife area. The fire was toward the end of Tomahawk on the ridge top. One lone flaming tree, hit by lighting during the early afternoon storm. I called our team back and they were able to put the tree out. It was close to the Geary ranch boundary not accessible by road. We named it the Horseshoe fire as a horse shoe was found by the tree. The FS did come back out and sent a team to check to make sure it was cold, high winds were expected overnight. Our team did a good job. It was completely cold. Thank you, Kevin Honeycutt, had he not listened to his gut, it could have easily spread as the tree fell over and the winds started.
May 23 bought our Memorial Day fund raiser for “The Whole Enchilada”.
We had a great turn out even with the rain and raised around $2500.00. I was not able to attend as I was home sick with a bad stomach virus.
June 2, we had an EMS assist as the ambulance was unsure of the location but it turned out they drove themselves to the mailboxes.
We set up a tent Saturday for Smoke on the Mt event.
Our new Type 6 Truck being built by Siddon Martin, a Skeeter Ford F350 Dagger 300, will be ready early. We were originally told October but now it will be the last week in June or first week in July. We have to drive up to Denton to pick it up.
Thank you to Ed and Art that helped Karen Rhea get her vehicle out of the ditch in her drive way Saturday June 6th. Community assist.
EMS call Tuesday night Wednesday Morning. On Tuesday night around 12:30 pm I got a call from Sue that Pat Kuhnel had just called her. Pat had fallen and Don could not get her up. Sue called 911 and called me. I called Bert to meet me at the station. I radioed dispatch that we were responding and headed to the station. Ray, Bert and I drover over to 118 Six Shooter Gulch. We found her on the floor but alert and aware and not in pain. After Bert’s assessment he recommended that she be transported to BBRH. The ambulance showed up 20 minutes later and we helped load her in to the ambulance. We got back to the station at 2:30. The ambulance crew left their lift assist chair and Bert took it in to the EMS station this morning.
We have had some strong storms over the DMR. The creeks have flashed and lots of hail fell. A couple of lightning strikes hit the ground but thankfully no fire.
Keep your eyes open. Stay safe, stay alert. Call 911 if you see anything. Make sure you tell them you are in the DMR.
Respectfully submitted,
Edna Queen,
Fire Chief DMPOAVFD, INC.
May 12, 2026 Chief's Report
From April 9th, 2026 through May 9th 2026, we had no EMS calls and no calls for fire. Two calls for assist for traffic accident.
Our Spring Fire Wise event was held on the April 11, 2026. Thank you to Jonathon Clark and Stewart Billingsley for cooking. We had a decent attendance, around 30 people. It was a good presentation by Sid Rodriguez, FD captain and retired EL Paso FF. We had quite a few new people and they asked a lot of good questions. We got two applications out this event for firefighters and one for support. I am very thankful the rain held off until we were putting things up. We ended up with .6th of an inch that weekend. Nice to be having spring showers.
I was not a training on the 12th, I was suffering from a respiratory infection. Thank you to Kevin Honeycutt, Ed Eaton, Bert Lagarde, and Sue Smith for stepping up and taking charge of the cleaning and training.
April 24, we sent a two-man crew to help with traffic control for a motorcycle accident on highway 166 at Pile of Rocks. Motorcycle verse deer. Our area of coverage beyond the DMR is from Blue Mt south on 166 to north on166 around Pile of rocks.
That evening at 6pm a two-man crew drove B 71 into town for the Sheriff’s department Sound Off for the Kids advocacy.
Training April 26, brought us a new firefighter. Welcome Tommy Vick.
Thank you to everyone that helped with the brush pile. There was only six of us this time. 2 fuel, 2 ignition and 2 safeties but we made it work. We tried to burn on the Friday morning but it did not rain as predicted and the area around the brush pile was too dry. They when it did rain later that morning and into the afternoon, the winds were really high, so it was good we waited a day. Everything was wet Saturday morning and it did rain later that evening. The brush Pile is now open again.
I attended the FD business meeting Wednesday. I told them of the upcoming Memorial Day event. They gave me a flyer invitation for the grand opening of the Balmorhea EMS/Fire station on the 30 of May. We will be sending a truck and 2 firefighters to the event. If you have not seen the new facility, you should. Its amazing. On the feeder road to interstate10 East.
I have been working on being able to host a training class here in the DMR. Sid Rodrigues is a TEEX instructor and Fort Davis structural captain. We decided on a UTV class. It will be held on Saturday August 1st. Here in the DMR. I have permission from the POA board to be able to use the area between the station and the Maintenance barn to set up the course. It is a driving course and we need to set up cones for the testing.
Our plans for our Memorial Day fund raiser for “The Whole Enchilada” are well in hand. We will be selling 3 enchiladas, your choice of red cheese, Tex Mex beef and green chicken, along with rice and beans, lettuce and tomatoes, guacamole and sour cream, chips and queso, dessert and a drink for $15.00. To go boxes will be available. We are also holding a salsa competition. With 1st prize of $150.00! Red, green, cooked or not it does not matter. It just has to taste good. Our judges are Sheriff Victor Lopez, JP Maryanne Luedecke, and FD firefighter Sid Rodriguez. Turn is from 1-4 that Saturday. Leave your salsa at the station. Please put our name on your container. You can bring a pint, quart with ever amount is okay. Tasting is blind, the judges will not know who made what. Judging begins at 4:30. Food service will start at 5:30. Your salsa will be made available for the public to taste after the contest.
Anvil and Apron to cater the annual meeting and elections June 27, 2026. They were approved by the POA and our BOD. We will each pay half.
We assisted a resident that fell asleep at the wheel while driving into the DMR. She went off the road right at the cattle guard. Thankfully she was alright, not a scratch on her. Falling asleep can happen day or night; exhaustion is dangerous went you get behind the wheel.
Training on May 10th brought us our second new firefighter, Dan Clark and another individual that sat through our training before he commits to be a fire fighter. We are up to 14 firefighter now. I went through a review of what we do and what is expected as a DMRVFD firefighter. With some basic instruction on wildland fire fighting.
This last week if the 8-year anniversary of the McDaniel fire and the Blue MT fire from last year. All it takes one lighting strike at the right place to start a fire. We have had a few brief rains with lighting in the last two weeks. Keep your eyes open. Stay safe, stay alert. Call 911 if you see anything. Make sure you tell them you are in the DMR.
Respectfully submitted,
Edna Queen, Fire Chief
DMPOAVFD, INC.
April 9, 2026 Chief's Report
From March 14th, 2026 through April 9th 2026, we had no EMS calls and no calls for fire. Uneventful is good.
We held training March 22 once again using the new hand-held radios and new base radios installed in B 71 and 73. We also made sure that all the trucks had at least two backpack sprayers that were in good working order.
The 5 ton did not start that day and we put a charger on it to bring the batteries back up to full charge. After a day we discovered that the radio was once again left on and drained the batteries. Marvin disconnected the radio then when ahead and installed a new radio that shuts off when the truck is turned off.
Ed Eaton worked on getting our new radio / battery charging station installed in our radio cabinet.
I have been working on getting our tank agreements updated. I am over half way through our list. All that if left is a few that I did not have a phone number for. Will keep working on this.
We receive our reimbursement for the purchase of the UTV. A check for $21,645.00 was received. We will need to hold this money to use to off set the amount of money we will need to borrow for the purchase of the new brush truck.
Thank you to the firemen that came to the funeral for Ron Davis. You guys represented our department very respectfully. Plus, you guys looked great in your dress shirts. Thank you, Bert, for leading the ringing of the bell.
Ed and I went to check on the tanks on low meadow on Monday. There was a report of water running down the road. When we arrived there had been a lot of water lost and the dip tank was over flowing. We shut the water off. There is a shut off valve that is broken on tank 4. Two other tanks were out of water. Bill and Ed figured out what was happening and we will get this fixed this week.
Thank you to Trevor Cheramie for is donation of $100.00 to be used to purchase supplies for our Firewise event.
Our Spring Fire Wise event will be April 11,2026. Meet and greet with an open house starts at 10. Our guest speaker will be Isidro Rodriguez, with the Fort Davis VFD and retired from EP fire department. Followed by Hamburgers and Hotdogs with all the sides and drinks around noon.
Set up and cleaning will be Friday 4-10 at 10 am.
I am thankful that we made it through spring break / Easter break without incident.
Keep your eyes open. Stay alert stay safe. Call 911 if you see anything.
Make sure you tell them you are in the DMR.
Respectfully submitted,
Edna Queen, Fire Chief DMPOAVFD, INC.
March 10, 2026 Chief's Report
From February 12th,2026, through March 10th, we had no EMS calls and one call to assist for fire.
Last summer the DMRVFD applied for a Yarborough Foundation grant to upgrade our communications equipment. We were looking at new Kenwood handheld radios and 100-watt mobile radios for our fire trucks. We were approved and received a $60,000.00 dollar grant in November 2025. We placed the order with American Communications by the end of November 2025. We waited. Finally on Thursday, February 12, 2026, Kenneth Clouse, our American Communications representative, came to the station with our new equipment. We received sixteen handheld radios with chargers, microphones, spare batteries, and four, 100-watt mobile radios for our fire trucks. The new radios are analog and digital capable which prepares us for the future. Thank you to Michelle Lander for her help in getting the grant. Thank you to our communications officer Marvin Voiers for his hours of research to find just the right equipment to meet our needs.
2-20-26 – 2-22-26 was the weekend for the annual Mile high fire academy hosted by Fort Davis VFD. The DMRVFD sent 6 firefighters.
2-24-26 the DMR responded to a report of fire near the Pile of rocks picnic area. We sent two trucks, B73 and B71 to assist Fort Davis VFD. It was a very windy day and we were lucky that the winds were blowing the fire towards a pile of rocks and not toward the open grass land. This could have easily become a major grass fire very quickly.
Training on the 22 was covered by fire school.
Training on March 8, we had an after-action review of the fire we helped with in the Largent ranch area. We also reviewed each of our firefighters’ experience with Fire School. I received information from the Extrication class instructor on extrication tools. He is an instructor and dealer for the equipment used. He was willing to come out to the DMR to give us a demonstration of the equipment he sells. I just need cars to cut up and a way to get rid of them afterwards. It is one of my goals before I retire to get a grant to cover the cost of our department having our own extrication tools. I firmly believe that its not if but when we have a head on collision or a roll over from the side of a steep road where we will need to cut someone out of a vehicle. Having our own tools would save a lot of time and maybe a life verses waiting for up to an hour or more for FTDVFD to arrive from town.
Afterward I sent the firemen out to the four most remote locations from the station with their new radios so that we could determent coverage. Using only simplex frequency’s and not the repeater, we got a significate increase of coverage. There are still a few bad spots of very statically coverage but over all I am very pleased. I do apologies to FDVFD as I had to switch over to repeater in one place to verify my location to the station. I did make sure to notify Hudspeth Co dispatch of our intended radio training before we started.
As Spring break 26 approaches, we need to stay alert. With so many people coming into our area, there will be need for emergency responders.
Keep your eyes open. Stay alert stay safe. Call 911 if you see anything.
Make sure you tell them you are in the DMR.
Respectfully submitted,
Edna Queen, Fire Chief DMPOAVFD, INC.
February 14, 2026 Chief's Report
From December 11 through February 14th,2026, we had no EMS calls and no calls for fire in the DMR. We had one call for smoke. two welfare checks that the sheriff did not need our help.
Training on January 11 was lightly attended so we just put in the new tools purchased for the brush trucks and caught up on station organization. I reviewed the options for the up coming Fire School to be held February 20 – 22 in Fort Davis.
On January 23, 2026 We took advantage of the impending forecast for rain/ice/sleet/snow to burn the brush pile. It was lightly raining as we arrived and rained on and off for the rest of the day before it rained hard late afternoon. Slowly but surly we are getting rid of the mountain of wood chips left behind by the AEP crew. We had full attendance except for our one firefighter attending TEDUM training. We also accepted the application for a new fireman. Larry Davis is one the road crew as well as our newest firefighter.
Credit was given to the firemen for training on the 25th by attendance to our controlled burn.
We had a power outage in the DMR Friday the 23rd from 8:30 pm to 11:30pm. Afterward our members reviewed what protocols we needed to establish for us to be a warming center. We have the capability to house around 20-30 people in our station. We have 12 cots, with bedding and pillows, a Generac generator with a 1000-gallon propane tank, propane heat and small kitchen set up. We would have TV, phone and internet if the Hughes net antenna could reach signal. Running water to the station with gravity fed from our storage tanks. The hard part would be getting people to the station in bad weather conditions.
On Saturday the 31st late afternoon I received a call from a resident that stated she could see a clear column of smoke and flames across the canyon from her home. She was sure that someone had a ground fire. I called a few firemen to report to the station and had Bert Lagarde check on the way in as it was just past his home on Calvary court. I wanted to be sure it was a ground fire before we went in full force and before I toned out the department. Turned out to be a BBQ in one of those large barrel pits. I always tell our residents to call if they see anything, anything at all. We will go investigate.
On February 5th firefighter Ed Eaton and I continued our review of all of the roads on the DMR. Both he and I had a few gaps in having driven all the roads in the DMR. During our drive we found a 2500-gallon water tank that was not on our map but with our id sticker still in place. After talking with former fire chief Darrell Fellers, he remembered that tank. The owners have passed away but the tank was still maintained by their children. That one is one Chiricahua crest trail.
Another tank was found under similar circumstance, at the end a little used road and the owner passed away. Steve Barr has a tank at the end of Six Shooter. It has a DMRVFD sticker. Thankfully that tank was still maintained as well by the children of the owner. We took GPS readings and added them to our map.
Training on February 8th was a review of structure fire procedures for our subdivision. We went over some basic wild land fire fighter procedures as well. We discussed the possibility of applying for a grant to purchase extrication tools. The ability to rescue someone trapped in a vehicle quicker that waiting for Fort Davis to arrive could mean the difference between surviving a roll over or not. I encourage those firefighters that have not taken extrication to please sign up for it during the upcoming fire school.
Thursday morning 2-12-24 Marvin, Ed and I meet with Kenneth Clouse to take possession of our new radios. I discovered that we did not order a battery bank charger. Miscommunication between Marvin and myself. We got individual chargers but what I wanted was a bank that could hold up to 12 charges at a time. That way all the radios are charging when not in use. I asked the board to approve the purchase of two battery banks, one for the radios and one for the spare batteries. Plus a surge protector. They approved the purchase.
Keep your eyes open. Stay alert stay safe. Call 911 if you see anything. Make sure you tell them you are in the DMR.
Respectfully submitted,
Edna Queen, Fire Chief DMPOAVFD, INC.
January 8, 2026 Chief's Report
From December 11 through January 08th,2026, we had no EMS calls and no calls for fire in the DMR. I hate to say this but it really has been non eventful. There was one sheriff call but they did not need us.
We held our annual Fire Chiefs Christmas party. We had more people than we have had in a while. 65 – 70 depending on who counted. We made $1697.26 in donations which was amazing and unexpected. I sent the thank you notes out to those that needed them. I never had so many people slip me money!
We got everything cleaned and stored away for next year. I will need to go through the tubs and get them organized again at some point.
I ordered new department tee shirts and picked them up in EL Paso on the 16th. I am not so happy with the design on the front of the long sleeve tees but the back is really nice. The short sleeve tees have pockets. May work on a new design for next time. Both companies were easy to work with.
We purchased a Kawasaki Mule Ranch addition for department under the equipment grant. Will discuss later. I submitted the paperwork for reimbursement.
I know Ed had been wanting us to buy our own flat top, so that we did not have to borrow one. They were on sale at tractor supply for I think 350 so I had him purchase one. I have a friend donate a two-burner propane cook top with a nice cook pot. I think that we can say that we are now capable if cooking most anything if needed even with out a real kitchen. May need another propane bottle. I wonder if we can make a box or stand for the burners.
Fire school is coming up at the end of February and I encourage everyone to take as many classes as they can.
Now I have to work hard at setting up my meetings with the county commissioners. I need to find the money for our new truck.
Keep your eyes open. Stay alert stay safe. Call 911 if you see anything. Make sure you tell them you are in the DMR.
Respectfully submitted,
Edna Queen,
Fire Chief DMPOAVFD, INC.
December 11, 2025 Chief's Report
From November 13th through December 11th, we had 3 EMS call. No calls for fire one call for reported smoke in the DMR.
We had two EMS calls of the 16th. The one in the morning would have been a good time to have called for the Helicopter to have been flown in to the DMR landing site in front of the maintenance barn. The patient had a very badly broken leg and it would have saved time and lots of suffering not having to have them endure the rough road out. The one in the evening was routine.
On the 21 of November, we had a call for domestic violence / EMS assist. Sadly, it took longer for EMD to arrive because the caller did not let dispatch know they were in the DMR and only said they were at the community center. So, EMS first went to the community center in Fort Davis. Thank you to the Sheriff’s office for their quick correction. That you to Bert Lagarde, his years of experience was a great asset in this situation.
November 22, I got a call from a community member that they saw a column of smoke around the Yellowknife area. Thankfully it turned out to be a fireplace smoking.
November 23, we normally do not have training the last Sunday in November but we met to go over what we need to order for our equipment grant. I have a list of what the Texas forest service requires their trucks to have and used that as a guide line. Thank you, Marvin, for taking lead on this project. It is a big job. We also went over the quotes I had from two different companies in El Paso to have new tee shirts made. The long sleeve tees will be part of the firemen’s Christmas gift. The short sleeve tees are part of our equipment.
Ed and Judy Eaton drove B 73 in the Christmas parade on November 29th. Finally found the missing extra key for B73. It has been missing for almost a year.
I ordered new department tee shirts and will pick them up in EL Paso on the 16th. Submitted our documents to the Texas Forest service for a grant to cover our workmen’s compensation insurance. Should get the 1495.00 back in January.
Paid our annual SFFMA dues.
Made a donation to Sherriff Lopez Blue Santa fund. Made a donation to the Grand Companions in memory of John Ward Brown, father to Rhonda Honeycutt. He passed away in late October.
Wednesday evening several of our department attended the Fort Davis Christmas dinner.
Thursday afternoon had a good meeting with Grandbury Fire Chief Matt Hohon.
Our annual Fire Chiefs Christmas dinner is December 13 open to all property owners and invited guest.
Keep your eyes open. Stay alert stay safe. Call 911 if you see anything. Make sure you tell them you are in the DMR.
Happy Holiday season to all!
Respectfully submitted,
Edna Queen,
Fire Chief DMPOAVFD, INC.
November 13, 2025 Chief's Reports
From October 11th 2025 through November 13th, 2 EMS call. No calls for fire and we burned the brush pile.
Again, I have spent this month driving back and forth to Alpine doing rental repairs so have been MIA. Thank you to Ed, Bert, Dale, Art and Robert for stepping up where needed. I hope we are almost done for the year.
I forgot to mention that on October 9 our department was invited to patriciate in the National fire prevention activities at the Fort Davis elementary school. Edward Eaton and Bert Lagarde had a great time having the kids shoot water from our back pack sprayers to hit targets on top of traffic cones. We had some giveaways left over from the National night out held the week before to give the kids. Additionally, the children got to turn on the lights and sirens on the trucks. It was a lot fun.
Training on October 12 had us finishing up the inventory for all of the vehicles. I must admit I am behind making the list of what each truck has and what we need to order. I will have to have that done this month.
October 13, Ed Eaton went out in the utv on his own and checked and winterized all of the water storage tanks. It took him two days but it was all done. Thank you so much for taking is task on by yourself.
On the afternoon of October 14th, I received notice that after 13 years of being on the list for a Texas Forest service grant to purchase a new brush truck, we got it!
$165,000.00 for a new truck and $45,000.00 to purchase an additional slip-on unit consisting of a water tank, hose real, and pump. Ken Gossett would be so happy. He and Darrell started that process those many years ago and we had given up hope of every getting one. Especially sense last year they did not award any grants and did away with the list processes. Anyway, we are busy looking our options while I have to find funding. These grants are 95 – 5 so we have to have the 5% to pay out of our money. Additionally, we have to have the money to pay for the equipment and then submit receipts for reimbursement. I will need to find someone to loan us the money to pay for these while I wait to be reimbursed.
Last month the Yarborough foundation’s, Michelle Lander gave me just hours to correct the fact that we never really submitted an official application with them. I was able to get that done then hunt for a cookie recipe that Ms. Landers requested as part of the application. With that secured sent we at last got our contract. Board President Rhonda Honeycutt and I signed and returned the contract on Monday November 3rd and should have our check for $60,000.00 Friday if not Monday. At last Marvin can order our new radio equipment for our department.
These, with the addition of a $25,000 equipment /PPE grant awarded in September that will be used to purchase equipment for the new truck, has made the last few months just unbelievable. $295 thousand dollars in grant money available to our department is unprecedented.
We have an EMS call on Cedar Trail that the ambulance was unable to drive up to. We had to transfer a medic into B72 then drive him up to the individual. We drove them down in our truck and met the ambulance at the cattle guard. This just reinforces the fact that we need a UTV ambulance. Another grant to work on down the road.
Ed tried to fill the fire trucks with gasoline after that run when it was discovered that the gas hose had finally bitten the dust. Thank you to WTG for the new hose.
We burned the brush pile on October 19th, just after the AEP mitigation crew finished with the work to be done in the DMR. We have big piles of wood chips by the brush pile for all residents to help themselves to for free! The road crew had been incorporating bucket loads of the wood chips to our brush pile, 13 to be exact. When we went to burn the pile, it sure did burn differently due to those wood chip. The wood chips kind of made a crust. The pile did finally burn down and was cleared way in just two days. Thank you to the support team for feeding and helping babysit the fire throughout the day.
On the day we burned the brush pile, it was discovered that the battery on B 74 for the pump was dead. I took it in to Napa and go it replaced.
11-5 Marvin noticed that he could not get B73 started. The next day I took that battery into Auto Zone and they replaced it for free. Two batteries in one month.
11-6 EMS call that no one but Rhonda and Kevin got. So strange, no radio, do e dispatch, nothing. Thankfully Bert was on the way to the station to put the new battery in so was able to respond.
11-7 New tower sections in anticipation of our new radios were installed.
11-9 training. The firemen looked over all the bids submitted to our department and choose Siddon Martin. I was to ask about changing the front wench for side sweep cannons. Also 14 -15 ply tires and spare. Unfortunately, we could only change the wench. This is a type of package deal by Siddon Martin and comes with limited upgrades. We got all of those offered. Any other changes requested moves this into a custom build and cost way more than we can afford.
We received our check from the Yarborough foundation on Saturday November 8th and Marvin deposited it into our regular account on Monday. On Monday I attended the commissioner court meeting. I read this report to the Judge and county commissioners. I hope to set a meeting with Albert Miller precinct 4 commissioner and with Judge Evens. They requested I send them the specifications sent to us by Siddon-Martin. Peggy Moats said that the county has money set aside for emergency funding that should be available to us.
Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce illuminated parade is November 29th at 6 pm. We sent a truck last year. I will need talk to Ed and maybe order some lights.
Thank you to those who attended Sandi’s memorial. It was really nice to see that the DMR had two tables.
Keep your eyes open. Stay alert stay safe. Call 911 if you see anything. Make sure you tell them you are in the DMR.
Respectfully submitted,
Edna Queen,
Fire Chief DMPOAVFD, INC.
October 14, 2025 Chief's Report
From September 21th 2025 through October 14th, we had 1 EMS lift assist and one EMS call. No calls for fire.
Training on September 14th saw us going over what we discussed at the monthly board meeting and doing inventory of one more truck.
On the 19 of September, around 7 pm, I got a call from Michelle Lander of the Yarbrough foundation. She said that she had just realized that she had never sent us an application for the grant. We had everything else done but that. She sent it to me and said she needed it and a financial statement done by noon the next day. I worked until late, as did Judy and finally got it done. Then my scanner would not work. I did mange to send a copy to her the next morning after many, many tries. She said they were meeting at the end of the month. I expect to either hear from her or get a check in the mail any time now.
Training on September 28 was short due to lack of attendance.
October 1st, we feed the Ft Davis VFD. Thank you to Ed, Bert, Judy, Judi, Sue and Cathy Gossett for their help with the food. It was very well received.
We confirmed that we needed to be in Fort Davis Saturday the 4th, for the national night out event no later than 4:45 so that we could have time to set up the tent and equipment.
October 4th starting at 8am we gathered at the station for mitigation. I know the donkeys had been doing a good job keep the grasses down but the limbing of the trees and a few select areas still needed work. Thank you to Jonathon Clark, he did an excellent job cooking as well as Stewart Billingsley. We had a good turn out.
We got a lot done and the food was terrific. We even had enough left to offer the tree crew some food.
That evening Ed, Bert, Art and Robert went to Fort Davis to participate in the National night out sponsored by the Sherriff’s office. The guys said that they had a really good turn out and our scooter give away was popular. Thank you to our excellent team. The scooters were a hit.
Radio / dispatch still out until just the last few weeks. I don’t hear the dispatch on by base radio as much as I hear it on the Boafang. What is working well is edispatch. I hear our tone followed by a link to click on. That is where I hear dispatch.
We had an EMS call to help with transport to the hospital on the 6th of October.
Our usual lift asset to 315 Thompson trail on October 8th. Once in the morning at 9 am and again that afternoon at 2.
A reminder, the memorial service for Chirs Kirby is October 19th at the Cow Camp. The pizza place in Fort Davis is catering so we don’t need to bring a thing. Sandi Billingsley memorial November 10th, at 6:00 will double check the time. Pat is catering the event. Did not ask us to bring anything but I will ask again next month what we can do to help.
I hope that you guys have looked at the grant parameters. We should know soon if we got that truck grant. The meeting is this Monday or Tuesday.
Keep your eyes open. Stay alert stay safe. Call 911 if you see anything. Make sure you tell them you are in the DMR.
Respectfully submitted,
Edna Queen,
Fire Chief DMPOAVFD, INC.
September 11, 2025 Chief's Report
From August 14th, 2025 through September 11th 2025, we had a community assist, 1 EMS lift assist and one EMS call. No calls for fire.
On August 17 Ed Eaton, Ray Queen and Chief Queen went out to inspect the brush pile maintained by the Bloys camp. It was much larger than I expected and has a lot of material that really should not be burned. Chief Olivas had said in passing that FDVFD, representatives from Bloys camp were talking to the TFS out of Fort Stockton so arrange for the FS to burn that pile. I made sure the FD VFD understood that it was important they notify us if this should happen. They will need to have a dozer out there to try and push it up before they burn. I did take some discarded wire to use as a barrier for the brush pile. The Road crew used some to rope off the area behind the round fire house.
Training on August 24 saw firefighters and support team members attend to discuss the up coming mitigation of the DMR by AEP. Chief Queen let them know what was said during a meeting between the AET contractors, POA president Dale Lierish and herself. They plan to start mitigation mid-September of all of the areas under their powerlines throughout the DMR. Completed the inventory of B73. Only the 5 ton, the utvs and B72 are left.
On August 25 Rhonda and Kevin Honeycutt responded to a personal call made to them for medical assistance. Rhonda called 911 and brought the person to the station and called Bert Lagarde. They then took the person in their personal UTV to the mailboxes to meet the ambulance.
On September 25th Ray Queen, Ed Eaton, Marvin Voiers and Chief Queen drove to the top of Apache Mt to mitigate and clean the repeater building. It is my hope to be able to get emergency power via solar and back up batteries to the repeat.
On August 26th Ed and Bert assisted a car and driver disabled on the ranch road. They determined that B73 could not move it and it was not endangering the road way so they helped the driver call his friend in the DMR to bring a trailer to move the car.
August 28, I attended the ESD meeting where I collected our third quarter check. Also, I presented to the ESD my plan to get all the costs in line to present to them so that we could use Kenneth Clouse to install the back up power for the repeaters. I was told by Bart Medley, that since the repeater belonged to the County, we did not need to do anything else. They would see that Kenneth Clouse’s company would do the work. I will keep at them until I see the work done. FYI, I did get to meet him right before the ESD meeting and introduced myself.
August 29th Edward Eaton, Bert Lagarde, Ray Queen and myself attended a class on what to do when you have a downed power line or electrical pole on fire held By AEP in Marfa. It was a very good class. Lots of really good information. At this meeting I was told about AEPs plans to install line cameras in the DMR. Like they have in California.
September 3rd, Bert, Robert and Ed attended a class hosted by Alpine VFD and Jupiter electric solar plant.
September 3rd late around 10 I got a message from friends of Marjie Erkkla. They were worried because they had not been able to reach her and she had missed a meeting with them that day in Fort Davis. I let our firemen know and arranged to meet in the morning but when I called Bert, he was worried. What if she fell and was on the floor. So, Ed, and Bert drove B72 over, Ray and I followed in my truck incase they needed to drive out to meet an ambulance. Thankfully we found her safe and well, we woke her up in fact. The next morning, I drove over to explain why we ended up at her house at 11:15-11:20. She was so gracious. She did tell me she had fallen serval times recently so it was not so farfetched. I stressed strongly that she needed to keep a working cell phone on her person just incase the next time she was unable to get herself up off the floor.
Radio / dispatch still out and will be till I don’t know how long. Last month it was supposed to be working by the end of August, now it could be the end of September. I was told it was now an internet problem??
It would love to see the ice maker working before mitigation. Don’t want to have to get ice from Fort Davis for this event. AEP had an under the counter ice maker. It was really nice.
A reminder, the memorial service for Chirs Kirby is October 19th at the Cow Camp. The pizza place in Fort Davis is catering so we don’t need to bring a thing. Sandi Billingsley memorial November 10th, at 6:00 will double check the time. Pat is catering the event. Did not ask us to bring anything but I will ask again next month what we can do to help.
I hope that you guys have looked at the grant parameters. If we don’t get a truck grant then we should buy new fire shelters and new SCBA equipment for our firefighters. If we can new PPE where needed.
We need to discussed what we are cooking for the October meal for the FD VFD. I was told no Italian.
Keep your eyes open. Stay alert stay safe. Call 911 if you see anything. Make sure you tell them you are in the DMR.
Respectfully submitted,
Edna Queen,
Fire Chief DMPOAVFD, INC.
August 9, 2025 Chief's Report
From July 10th, 2025 through August 09th, 2025, we had one community assist, 3 EMS lift assist call, one call for smoke in the DMR and one call for fire.
July 12th at 9 am we got a call about a truck that had run off the road at a switch back on High lonesome trail and the driver was still in the truck. The team arrived and Paramedic Bert Lagarde examined the driver. He refused transport and was treated on scene for a minor cut. The team determined that they could not successfully pull the truck out of where it was stuck without possibly causing damage to our trucks or to the individuals truck. As it was not blocking the road or a hazard, they left it to the driver to call a tow truck. I understand that the road crew was able to pull the truck out with the maintainer and back hoe.
Training was held July 13th with a very small attendance. Ed, Marvin and Ray worked on adding water to the Buffalo tank to make sure there were no leaks in the connections. The Buffalo tank was moved By Darell Fellers so that he could couture around the water storage tanks. With all the rains, the tanks were overflowing and that was causing water to seep into Bay 1. We will have to seal that section of the station again.
July 22 had us attending County Commissioner court to receive a donation from the Smoke on the Mountains organizing committee. Those women are amazing. They raised $60,00.00 dollars for Jeff Davis Co. first responders. Each department received $12,000.00.
July 25, we lit the brush pile. The brush pile was not as large as it has been in times past, but it was good to take advantage of all the rain we have had in the area. I was worried it might be too wet but it lit just fine. Thank you to all who helped. Special thank you to the support team that fed us breakfast and lunch.
This also brought up maybe making or purchasing a sign to use when we burn. This time we had the tape pulled down the next day and someone adding fresh branches to the ash pile. It might be good to have a sign we can put up that reads, not additional material accepted until the ash pile is moved. This is something to for me to bring up at the POA meeting. The POA owns the area and controls the brush pile. We burn it as a curtesy. I do post notice for the community on the Facebook sites but not everyone has Facebook. Ralph Patterson posted that the DMR has averaged 18+ inches of rain for the year so far.
July 28, l received a call at home from Dale Kitchens who said he could see smoke on Apache Mt. I radioed out the department and sent teams to investigate. Nothing was found. Thank you to Ed, Robert, Bert and Ray who responded.
August 9th, I received a call at home from FD FC Olivas that he needed our help with a fire. The day before Fort Daivs VFD responded to a fire at Bloys camp. Someone had dumped some construction materials near the Bloys dump site and tried to burn it. Unfortunately, the pile included matrasses and other material not really suitable for burning. They put the fire out but it started to smolder again the next morning. Chief Olivas asked us to send a truck out to put more water on that pile. Thank you to Ed and Bert for doing this for us. It did not take that much water and Bert said they raked the pile to make sure it was out.
Royce Laskowskie sent me a message with an attachment about the type or ambulance that Peggy Moats is working on for our department. It looks amazing. A Medstat enclosed UTV Ambulance. Now I don’t want to continue to hold my breath, but if it really happens, it will a great asset to our community. We will have to figure out how to shuffle equipment around but we will worry about that if we get notice that it is actually on the way.
Keep your eyes open. Stay alert stay safe. Call 911 if you see anything. Make sure you tell them you are in the DMR.
Respectfully submitted,
Edna Queen,
Fire Chief DMPOAVFD, INC.
July 10, 2025 Chief's Report
From June 5th, 2025 through July 10th 2025, we had 1 EMS call and one call for fire.
There was no training on June 8 as it was moved to June 3rd to accommodate Wendi and Dale.
On June 13 I received a call on the radio about the observatory seeing smoke but could not tell if it was in the DMR. I originally heard they thought it was between 166 and the DMR so I call our firemen in to the station. It was then changed to between 118 N and the DMR. It turned out to be on Tully Mt. That same mountain was it by lighting in January. This time we were asked to send two trucks. Although our firefighters did not get to fight active fire, they did learn that Bert Geary did in fact blade and widen the evacuation route as well as trim trees along the route. Its probably washed out now but at that time I was told you could have driven a car on it no problem.
On June 18th we responded to an EMS call for a person that had fallen down some stairs. We met the ambulance and escorted them to the location.
Thank you to everyone that helped with the annual meeting. I was worried it was going to go long, especially since I did not give my DMRVFD report till around 4:40. Thankfully the open comments did not go as long as expected. Thank you to Jonathan and Christa! We had just some sausage left. Will need to review with them about amounts for next year.
I am glad that most of the silent auction items sold and quite a few of the strait sale items from Marjie sold. Thank you to Rhonda for agreeing to take what did not sell to her shop in town. Hopefully it will sell there. I don’t remember the amount we made between donations and sales, Judy will have it in her report, but it helped off set the cost of the meat.
June 29 was or training day although we spent most of that time cleaning up and putting stuff away from the annual meeting. I suggested that we should burn the brush pile. After some discussion it was decided we could do the following day. I know it would be a quick turn around but it was a day that most of the team could attend. Later that day after a good late afternoon rain, I received a phone call from Dale Pilcher. He stated that Kevin decided it was too wet to burn. I thought it was odd but went along with it as the pile was not that big and I was just trying to take advantage of the rain forecast to burn. Of course, the rest of the week was daily rain so we will have to wait until the next rain cycle.
The burn ban was lifted on July 8 for Jeff Davis Co. I was told it had a provision by Pat Olivas but then new court clerk, Shannon Barron said that it did not. The lifting of the burn ban is supposed to stay in place until the first freeze. I really hope they change their minds. It will not stay as wet as it is now until the end of October first of November.
Recently I was told to produce the number of people that have left the fire department since I have been chief. I thought about it and so here it the list.
Ken Gossett left due a to conflict with another fire fighter. Stewart Billingsley retired to support team. Arron and Stacy Rasbach, were removed. Billy Moore. Rebbeca Leach and Dale Kitchens left due to medical reasons. Lorena Leach left because she did not want to be a firefighter. Jan VanLiere left due to a conflict with a support team member, so 9. Added while I have been fire chief. Since I was first elected June 2021 as fire chief new firefighters added 11. Wendi, Ed, Art, Rhonda, Kevin, Dale K, Robert, Dale P, Stepehen, Ray, and Jan. When I started in this department in 2012 we had 12 firemen. I think we may have been as high as 14 at one point and as low a 9. We seem to stay around 11.
Keep your eyes open. Stay alert stay safe. Call 911 if you see anything. Make sure you tell them you are in the DMR.
Respectfully submitted,
Edna Queen,
Fire Chief DMPOAVFD, INC.