Official Website of the City of Horseshoe Bay, Texas

 

PRESS RELEASE – 5/30/06

 

HEADLINE:  Horseshoe Bay Mayor and Council….Moving Forward

 

            The first item of the City’s Comprehensive Development Plan is the safety of the citizens of Horseshoe Bay.  Our Fire Chief, Danny Wooten, understands the importance of that responsibility.  Fire suppression is first and foremost for this Department but the job does not end there.

            Wooten describes his 13 member team as highly qualified and dedicated.  “Moral is high,” he says, “because we are well-trained and have an outstanding record of performance.”  The staff totals 151 years of experience.

            The Horseshoe Bay Fire Department has a physical fitness, wellness and continuing education program in place for all firefighters at both the Central and the HSB West stations.  The in-house exercise equipment keeps them fit and ready to answer an average of 350 calls per year.  Sixty percent of those were EMS related in 2005.  Two firefighters are on duty at each station 24/7.  That’s one more than required by the state.  Response time is between five to six minutes and the City is well-covered with 596 fire hydrants that are checked yearly by the department.  All equipment on the three main trucks is checked daily.

            During Chief Wooten’s six years at Horseshoe Bay, the Insurance Protection Rate has been reduced from a six to a four due to better trained personnel and improved and updated equipment.  This is significant because as the number lowers, so does your homeowner insurance cost.  The Chief suggests you make sure your carrier is giving you rates based on that lower number.  Frequently this is not the case.

            As we have seen with many city services, staying ahead of the growth curve is a challenge.  A good example is the multi-story construction currently taking place.  Our fire-fighting equipment is only effective for a maximum of three stories.  We have a mutual aid agreement with the City of Marble Falls Fire Department which is capable of handling larger fires; however, the added response time and the possibility that their equipment will be in service, leaves a gap in our coverage.  It will be some time before funds are available to purchase the expensive equipment necessary to facilitate the taller structures.

 

            Chief Wooten also outlined the community services provided by the department:

 

1.       Installation and/or inspection of home smoke alarms.

2.       CPR instruction for as few as four people.  Church groups and other organizations are encouraged to take advantage of this valuable crisis instruction.  There is also a program available for A.E.D. (Automatic Electronic Defibrillation).

3.       The department will conduct an in home safety survey with a check list of 28 points that covers fire prevention and action you should take in the event of an emergency.

 

Chief Wooten was recently chosen to be the Grand Marshall of the 4^th of July Lake Parade.  “I don’t deserve to have the same honor that astronaut Jim Lovell had” said the Chief.  Many HSB citizens feel that he does indeed deserve this honor.  Great job Chief.                        

 

                                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                                    Buddy Schrader

                                                                                                    Public Information Officer

 

 

Return to Press Release Menu

Return to City Home Page