Oncor donates thousands to volunteer fire departments across West Texas

MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Oncor Cares Foundation donated $650,000 to fire departments across West and Northwest Texas. The foundation said the money will be used to support critical training and equipment.

Oncor chose to give to volunteer fire departments across 17 counties based on their volunteer status, community value, and land conditions, specifically, departments in areas with little to no rain and facing drought conditions. Each volunteer department will receive an equal grant of $25,000 to be primarily focused on purchasing new firefighting equipment or training to elevate the department’s preparedness and response capabilities.

“At Oncor, we are constantly searching for opportunities to prioritize safety and support our safety partners who work hand-in-hand with us to serve Texas communities. We recognize and appreciate the life-saving role of our volunteer firefighters and are honored to provide these 26 departments with funds to secure high-quality firefighting equipment and additional training,” said Debbie Dennis, Senior Vice President, Chief Customer Officer, Chief HR Officer for Oncor, and Chairman and President of the Oncor Cares Foundation. “Maintaining strong partnerships with first responders like these across our service area is incredibly important to Oncor and all of our team members. We’re excited to see the impact this gift has on each volunteer fire department, and look forward to continuing to support their mission of protecting local families, homes and businesses.”

In the Basin, several organizations received grants, including the Northeast Midland Volunteer, Greenwood Volunteer, and West Odessa Volunteer fire departments.

“The Northeast Midland Volunteer Fire Department is grateful for this support from Oncor and the Oncor Cares Foundation that will better enable our team to keep our community safe. Grants and opportunities like this not only better equip us as firefighters but also allow us to more effectively protect ourselves, our loved ones and our neighbors,” said Chief of Northeast Midland Volunteer Fire Department Jason Duran.

“Training and equipment can make or break a successful firefighting situation,” said Chief Ray LeBlanc of the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department. “This grant funding will help us continue to safely serve local residents and neighborhoods, and our department is grateful to Oncor and the Oncor Cares Foundation on behalf of the Greenwood and Midland communities.”

“Volunteer firefighting is a tough and life-threatening challenge and having the funds to ensure our equipment is trustworthy and our firefighters have the training they need is crucial to helping rise up to that challenge each day,” said Chief Austin Harden of the West Odessa Volunteer Fire Department. “We appreciate Oncor and the Oncor Cares Foundation’s support and look forward to putting this grant funding to good use.”

Oncor representatives said environmental conditions in West and Northwest Texas have long posed unique challenges for fire departments, particularly due to low humidity, high winds, scorching temperatures and limited rainfall. Additionally, a large portion of volunteer fire departments in these areas operate with hand-me-down equipment and gear, leaving them less prepared than their federally funded counterparts to most effectively and safely battle fires.

A list of all volunteer fire departments that received a gift reads:

• Ackerly VFD; Dawson County
• Andrews VFD; Andrews County
• Bluff Dale VFD; Erath County
• Borden County VFD; Borden County
• Carbon VFD; Eastland County
• Dublin VFD; Erath County
• Eliasville Rural VFD; Young County
• Friberg-Cooper VFD; Wichita County
• Gardendale VFD; Ector County
• Greenwood VFD; Ector County
• Groom VFD; Carson County
• Holliday VFD & Rescue Inc.; Archer County
• Howard County VFD; Howard County
• Lake Sweetwater VFD; Nolan County
• Lingleville VFD; Erath County
• Maryneal VFD; Nolan County
• Monahans VFD; Ward County
• Northeast Midland County VFD Inc.; Midland County
• Olden VFD; Eastland County
• Panhandle VFD; Carson County
• Skellytown Area Volunteer Firefighters-EMS Association Inc.; Carson County
• Strawn VFD; Palo Pinto County
• West Odessa VFD; Ector County
• White Deer VFD; Carson County
• Wink County VFD; Winkler County

Oncor founded the Oncor Cares Foundation to help expand Oncor’s charitable giving and support for the many communities Oncor serves. The Oncor Cares Foundation is supported by contributions from various sources including Oncor. Contributions made by Oncor to the Oncor Cares Foundation are not recovered through its rates nor paid for by Oncor customers.

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