NORTH ZULCH, Texas (KBTX) – Over the past eight years, Brazos Valley community members have raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars to help build a new fire station in North Zulch.

The Zulch Nord Volunteer Fire Brigade (VFD) is currently starting the first phase of the construction of a new fire station. VFD Chief Tony Clay told KBTX the impact is greater than one might think for a town of about 3,300 people.

“We can’t be here without the community and our supporters,” Chief Clay said.

A 35-year North Zulch resident told KBTX he feels lucky to be a part of creating the new, modernized fire station.

“I know who I can call when I need something,” Belinda Whitmire shared. “The firefighters helped me. We lost a house about 10 years ago and they were the first to get there.

The new building will house all of their trucks. The second phase will include a meeting room, office spaces, toilets and a kitchen area. But above all, everything will happen inside.

“In and out. Our trucks will be ready to go. We won’t have to wait for them to warm up,” Chief Clay explained.

In the winter, the department must remove ice from pipes before fighting a fire, which takes time that some people don’t have.

“You have to take 15 minutes. 15 to 20 minutes to start, and then you have 10, 15 minutes to get there,” explained Chef Clay.

The money collected over the years will not only be used to construct a new building, assured the VFD.

“We are going to modernize our equipment. We will have more opportunities to send more of our firefighters to medical schools,” he boasted.

Whitmire added, “Anyone in town, if they need anything, they will call the fire station and (there is) always someone who will be there to help you with whatever you need.” »

Zulch Nord firefighters said the new building should be operational within three to four weeks.

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