June 9, 2024

Dear Ponder Residents,

As I get settled in as your Fire Chief, I am proud to share the current state of our department and our vision for the future. Our dedicated team remains committed to serving our community with excellence, responding to emergencies with speed, efficiency, and compassion.

State of the Department

The Ponder Volunteer Fire Department continues to uphold a strong record of service. Our firefighters, volunteers, are highly trained and equipped to handle a wide range of emergencies. We have successfully responded to 300 calls thus far this year, ranging from fires and medical emergencies to rescue operations and community assistance.

Commitment to Serving Our Community

Our primary goal has always been, and will always be, to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents. We strive to maintain the highest standards in fire prevention, emergency response, and community education. The trust you place in us is something we hold in the highest regard, and we are dedicated to preserving that trust through continuous improvement and unwavering service.

Looking to the Future

As we look ahead, we recognize the importance of evolving to meet the changing needs of our community. One significant aspect of this transition is incorporating paid personnel into our ranks. This change will enhance our current service model, allowing us to have firefighters and EMS personnel stationed at our facilities, ready to respond at a moment’s notice. This will improve our response times and ensure that help is always close by.

Despite this transition, we remain deeply committed to our volunteer firefighters. Their dedication and community spirit are invaluable assets to our department. We will continue to utilize and support our volunteers for as long as possible, ensuring they remain an integral part of our team.

Planning for Anticipated Growth

Our community is growing, and with this growth comes the need for increased and enhanced services. We are actively planning for this anticipated growth, ensuring that our department is well-prepared to meet the future demands. This includes investing in new equipment, expanding our facilities, and providing ongoing training and development opportunities for all our personnel.

In conclusion, the Ponder Volunteer Fire Department is dedicated to providing exceptional service to our residents. We are excited about the future and the positive changes it will bring, ensuring that we remain a reliable and trusted pillar of the community.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

James R Longbrake
Fire Chief
Ponder Volunteer Fire Department
940-479-2488

Reminder we have town hall meetings scheduled through the summer to allow the community to offer their input in the potential costs, the impact, the plan and such for the future of fire and EMS service to our community.