INTRODUCTION

The Sunrise Beach Volunteer Fire Department (SBVFD) is in transition from a total volunteer department into a Texas Commission on Fire Protection recognized hybrid department of volunteer Firefighters / Medical First Responders and paid, career Firefighters / EMT’s. History of the SBVFD began in 1969. What follows is an outline and description of that history.

ORGANIZATION

Charter No. 258938, Certificate of Incorporation, was issued to SBVFD by Texas Secretary of State on March 27, 1969. On January 8, 1970, the IRS, by “Letter of Determination” granted the SBVFD Non-Profit classification of 501(c)(4). By-laws and election of the Board of Directors were the next steps for the organization. Officers included President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary. In support of the Department, the “Ladies Auxiliary” held its first meeting in 1971.

These community-minded citizens realized the need for fire protection and took action to accomplish this before the city was incorporated in November 1973.

FINANCES

How to pay for equipment, buildings, training and other capital and operating expenses? As a non-taxing entity, the Department never received any direct funding from taxpayers’ dollars. The avenue for funds included the Annual “Begging” Letter sent to all Sunrise Beach property owners every March. About one third of the recipients returned the request with a donation. The amount of these donations was not  sufficient to cover the operating expenses. So, other fund raisers were organized: Memorial Day BBQ, Citywide Garage Sale, Golf Tournament, Fishing Rodeo and the Sip & Stroll. These events required many man hours, and some Members noted that the Department probably spent more time on these fund raisers than on training. For example, in 2009 the Department spent $20,000 on operating expenses. That amount was enough to keep the doors open. The Ladies Auxiliary was very involved with these activities. Grants primarily funded capital projects, including the new firehouse and equipment. Sources for grants included LCRA, Texas Forest Service, and the Federal Government. 

PERSONNEL

When all department staff are volunteers, it can result in problematic situations. Who is available for duty? Are the skills of those available sufficient for the emergency?

The total membership never exceeded fifty. While this may seem like a large number, not all are capable of skilled firefighting. The Department was very welcoming. No one was turned away. “We can find a place for anyone willing to serve”: this was the policy. The pool of potential members was primarily retirees, very few younger people were able or willing to serve.

The schedule of the Beachers Marching Group impacted on the operation and readiness of the Department. At one time, approximately one-half of the Department personnel were members of the Beachers. The Beachers performed in many out-of-town parades and festivals. This was a challenge for the Chief and leadership during an emergency. A sign in/out board was used to track absences. Given the above staffing limitations, on a good day an able-bodied cadre of ten to fifteen well-qualified firefighters addressed fire emergencies.

TRAINING

Regular training meetings were held on the evenings of the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of each month. Also, some Saturday meetings were scheduled for special “all hands” training. For example, simulated wildland fire exercises. All new members were offered the opportunity to attend the Firefighter I course at Texas A&M fire school. Other courses specific to wildland fires, command and control, and driving safety were available.

The level and quality of training greatly improved when retired Austin Firefighters joined the

Department. A training officer and scheduled sessions formalized the training. It was directed toward the needs, members’ abilities and the conditions faced in our community.

FACILITIES

The first firehouse was a former welding shop. It was added onto three times. The concrete slab and exterior metal building were expanded. The fire vehicles could not drive through and had to be backed in bumper to bumper. There was just enough clearance to pull down the doors. There was no training room; the members had to gather in between the trucks. Very inadequate space was allocated for personnel and equipment.

The “new” firehouse was made possible with a grant from the LCRA. In addition to eight drive-through bays, it contained a generous training room, office space, radio room, and a kitchen. Also, above the built-out section was a large storage area. There was space along the rear wall for an air compressor and SCBA station. A major improvement.
 

Next, the Department leased space from the City in the water treatment facility located on

Circle Drive. This building, and the equipment located there, provided the tactical advantage of a second location on the Beach. When low water crossings restrict passage to the north side of the Beach, fire equipment at Station 2 can respond. The air strip is adjacent to the station

providing fast response to aircraft emergencies.

The old, original station was converted into a training facility. It was outfitted with household furniture arranged like a residential home. A “burn room” was added to the rear of the building.

EQUIPMENT

This list of equipment was current at the start of the transition to the Emergency Services District (ESD) as of January 1, 2023: Command Vehicle, two Brush Trucks, two Pumper Trucks, one Tender, a Supply/Support Vehicle, a Boat, and a Rescue Truck.

Rolling stock during the early years of the SBVFD was characterized as used, old and outdated.

The phrase “hand-me-downs” was a good description. Limited finances prohibited the

purchase of new firefighting or rescue equipment, which is quite expensive. Maintenance and parts availability for this aging fleet was an ongoing challenge.

For example, the first tanker (Tender) was a Vietnam era “Deuce and a Half”. A 1500-gallon tank was added to the stripped-down cab and chassis. The Department Maintenance Officer built this unit in house from scratch. All the welding, piping, valves and emergency lights were completed so the tanker could be put in service. Although it was a “multi fuel” vehicle, it was operated on diesel. A diagram on the dashboard showed the 12 steps to start the engine. A junk yard in Tennessee was the only source for parts.

Another example was the 1984 Pumper purchased from Franklin Township, New Jersey. Two department members drove it to Sunrise Beach from Jersey. It had a 3000-gallon capacity. An

actual new vehicle, a small pickup truck, was purchased by a former Fire Chief using his personal credit card. This truck was necessary to carry a special drafting unit for use with dry hydrants.

A significant new vehicle was “Engine One”, a pumper holding 2500 gallons of water. This purchase was made possible with grant funds from Texas Forest Service. Department leadership developed the specifications, and the pumper was custom built.

Other equipment like SCBA and extrication tools were passed down to the SBVFD from other departments after they upgraded. It was a huge operational improvement when the Department changed from hydraulic extrication tools to battery operated. Federal funds were an important source for new state-of-the-art SCBA units and handheld radios for all members.

The rescue boat was a used pontoon boat purchased from a local resident. It required extensive repair and outfitting with a high-capacity pump, 300 feet of supply hose and a deck gun with a

long reach nozzle.

 

OPERATION/TACTICS

All 911 Emergency Calls for Service are dispatched by the Llano County Sheriff’s Office. The method for alerting SBVFD officers and members has evolved along with the technology. Initially, the Chief was notified by radio. Then members were contacted by a land line phone call down list. Next came beepers for all members. Finally, all members were provided with radios. Additionally, a cell phone app was used that provided important information on the location and status of the emergency.

On average, 80% of calls for service are medical emergencies. In the early days of the Department retired miliary nurses were the Medical First Responders. To address this workload, a Chief Medical Officer position was established. This person was responsible for recruitment, training and supervision of a group of Medical First Responders. Each responder was issued a complete medical bag. An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) was carried in the Command Vehicle, and the First Responders went directly from their homes to the scene of the emergency. The SBVFD did not transport patients; its job is to keep patients alive until the EMS ambulance or the air evac helicopter arrived. All members were trained in CPR. At least once a year, members trained with helicopter medical crews at the helipad on proper loading of patients. Given the demographics of Sunrise Beach (most full-time residents are elderly) a high level of medical calls is not unusual. Approximately half of the homes are owned by part timers as second homes. The population mix and types of medical calls change on weekends and holidays when most homes are occupied.

Wildland fires and Mutual Aid calls are the next volume after medical calls. The original SBVFD response area was about 22 square miles. Some wildland fires occurred in that area, but most wildland firefighting was on mutual aid with units from the surrounding departments. The usual request was for Brush Trucks and a Tender. For structure fires, a Pumper Truck and the Tender were requested. The Department policy was to always retain equipment, at least one Pumper, on the Beach when responding to mutual aid. During the history of the SBVFD, very few structure fires occurred in the city limits.

The intersection of Highway 71 and Ranch to Market Road 2233 was always a busy accident location responded to by the SBVFD. Medical personnel were instructed to ride with other SBVFD vehicles when leaving the Beach. It was dangerous to respond in personal vehicles

without emergency lights.
 

Extrication tools were often employed, and, in some cases, medical attention was provided while victims were still entrapped. When air evac was necessary, a

landing zone was set up on the highway. SBVFD training and leadership brought control to an often complex, chaotic and dangerous situation.

For many years the SBVFD had the only rescue boat on Lake LBJ. The boat was docked in a boat house on Beach Drive next to the City Police Boat. When other departments outside of the VFD’s primary response area needed assistance from our boat and crew went to their aid. Our boat was equipped with a sonar device for locating objects and victims underwater. Unfortunately, sometimes a rescue becomes a recovery.

Topology and water availably dictate the tactics used for fire emergencies. Sunrise Beach is hilly and some homes are located on these hills and others on waterfront property. There are few level roads of areas. No pressurized hydrants, so water must be brought to the fire scene onboard the responding vehicles. Structures located along water can be attacked with the Fire Boat and water can be relayed to the pumpers. The Tender has a 2000 gallon “drop tank”, but it can only be deployed on level ground. When used, the entire load of the Tender is released into the drop tank, and pumpers can draft from the tank. The Tender then shuttles to a refill and returns with another load.

As a possible solution for a water source, 16 “dry hydrants” were installed throughout the Beach. These hydrants extended into Lake LBJ and provided a constant supply. A special pump unit called “Whiskey Sierra” (WS) was deployed to draft from these hydrants. The Tender was repeatedly filled with lake water. Maintenance of these hydrants was high and after each flood, swiftly moving water would damage or completely remove the intake. Then Zebra Mussels attached to the piping and completely clogged the intake. Ultimately, rainwater collection tanks were installed at Station 1 and Station 2. Each holds sufficient water to fill all vehicles at least twice.

Part of regular training was advanced planning at possible fire emergency locations. This involved scenarios such as access to dead end streets, and laying supply hose to structures located far distances from the roadway. These exercises built confidence in the membership to quickly complete a size up and deploy equipment and firefighters effectively. The policy for structure fires was to fight them defensively. The goal was to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent homes. This approach was successful and appropriate with the training and ability of the fire personnel.

The SBVFD Support/Supply merits special mention. Firefighting is hot, difficult, and tiring. This unit provided medical triage and rehab for the firefighters. Cold wet towels were offered and hydrating drinks and snacks were available. When deployed on Mutual Aid calls, the other departments greatly appreciated this service. They often mentioned they wished their departments had such a unit.

An important element to the success of the SBVFD is the relationship with the City of Sunrise Beach Village. Local leadership, elected officials and staff have been very supportive. The SBVFD helps the City with downed trees, road clearance, and other recovery activities following storms and floods. This symbiotic relationship has served the citizens very well.

SUMMARY

For over half a century, the SBVFD has been an anchor for civic involvement. The leadership of the Officers and Board Members guided the Department to a high level of professional service. The designation of Sunrise Beach as a Firewise Community further demonstrates the bond between the SBVFD and the citizens. The transition to the hybrid department of Volunteer Firefighters / Medical First Responders and paid, career Firefighters / EMT’s within the Sunrise Beach Fire Department – Llano County Emergency Services District #5 continues the proud tradition of service began in 1969 by the Sunrise Beach Volunteer Fire Department.