Budget Cuts Put Texas Volunteer Firefighters in Harms Way Fighting Texas Wildfires

Almost every news media outlet in America has reported on the 18,766 Texas Wildfires that are soaring through the state. Six of the ten recent Texas Wildfires are the worst in Texas history. So far, 3,621,529 acres have burned. That's larger than Delaware, Rhode Island, Washington D.C. and one-third of Connecticut combined, and still burning. So far, 4,155 structures and more than 2,000 homes have been destroyed. More than 1,500 animals have perished. 99% of Texas remains under a burn ban due to extreme drought.

What is not generally reported in the mainstream media is that 77% of the firefighting service in Texas is staffed by 30,000 Volunteer Firefighters from 1,400 Volunteer Fire Departments. Hundreds of volunteer firefighters have come to Texas from other states to help citizens save lives and homes. One local resident of Bastrop told me firefighters were turned away at roadblocks for not having adequate protective gear.

Governor Perry and the Texas Legislature recently cut the Texas Wildfire Relief Fund that provides equipment and protective gear to the volunteer firefighters, from $23 million per year to $7 million per year. It costs $8,400 per volunteer firefighter to completely outfit them with protective gear. 86% of volunteer firefighters in Texas use personal funds to provide themselves with protective gear and equipment for their Volunteer Fire Departments.

How to Help Texas Volunteer Firefighters and Visiting Volunteer Firefighters

Donate to the Texas Wildfire Relief Fund

Call Kelsey Coleman at 512-236-1001

Email Kelsey@txwildfirerelief.org

I work in Austin with seven families who were displaced or lost their homes in the Bastrop Complex Fire and fires in surrounding areas of Austin. Texas residents have poured out their hearts to help these thousands of families across the state. President Obama recently authorized federal disaster relief for Bastrop County residents affected by one of the most destructive fires in Texas history. Emmy-nominated Actor Kyle Chandler, who played Coach Eric Taylor, on Friday Night Lights, has recorded public service announcements to raise awareness for the need to help Texas Volunteer Fire Departments and the volunteer firefighters.

But, immediate help is drastically needed for the thousands of volunteer firefighters who are saving homes and lives, and who have NO protective firefighting gear to save their own lives. These firefighters have put themselves in harm's way to save over 45,828 structures and homes.