Simms Volunteer Firefighters On Cloud Nine

If there are fire emergencies in Bowie County, volunteer fire departments usually respond. These departments normally operate solely on donations, making new equipment hard to come by. One local department is the exception this week. The firefighters have a new truck to help them save lives. "We are floating on cloud nine!" A new pump truck now sits at the Simms, Texas Volunteer Fire Department. It is a $165,000 dream four years in the making. "It takes money in a situation like this. We dont charge people to put house fires out," says Captain Paul Beard. Around 20 men and woman make up the department. They operate on donated spirit and time. Their work doesnt stop when fires quit burning, Many times youll find them supporting residents in the community. For instance, their outreach after a deadly fire last month. Three children died. "We have saved a lot of homes, and lost alot too," says firefighter Carl Davis. The firefighters say the new pump truck was badly needed. It was purchased with the help of a homeland security grant. The old truck was manufactured in the 1960s -- a hand-me-down from another department. "We scratch around every year. We get our $10,000 and start biting our tongue," Chief Jim Elder says. They raised funds to match the grant through annual chili suppers, and they have already put the new truck to good use. "We had an 18 wheeler fire to put out. It got dirty and we had to wipe it off," says Beard proudly. The Simms Volunteer Fire Department responds to an area that spans about 180 square miles. There are four other volunteer fire departments in the county.