SO MANY FOLKS IN RURAL TEXOMA DEPEND ON THE MEN AND WOMEN OF VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS TO PROTECT THEIR PROPERTY AND LIVES WHEN FIRES STRIKE.
OUT AT LAKE ARROWHEAD THERE'S ONE VOLUNTEER FIRE CHIEF WHO GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT IT TAKES TO KEEP HIS DEPARTMENT RUNNING...AND FOR HIS EFFORTS MIKE HALL IS THIS MONTH'S SPIRIT OF TEXOMA AWARD WINNER.
BACK IN APRIL THICK SMOKE FILLED THE SKIES OVER LAKE ARROWHEAD...AND THE FIERCE WILDFIRES LEFT LITTLE BEHIND.
ALTHOUGH MANY FAMILIES ONLY HAD RUBBLE REMAINING...THANKS TO A DEDICATED VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT EVERYONE MADE IT OUT WITH THEIR LIVES.
We've seen big fires throughout as far as grassfires, but the way this one came through and got into structures that was a very eye opener that our training has been good but we really need to keep striving to train more.
THE LAKE ARROWHEAD CREW IS CONSTANTLY TRAINING AND CHIEF HALL ALSO STAYS BUSY BRINGING MORE VOLUNTEERS INTO THE RANKS.
ONE SUCH RECRUIT IS HIS MOM MARTHA WHO SERVES AS THE DEPARTMENT'S TREASURER.
He's always been a good man that's been a given, but watch him bring out another part of his personality, in service to others it has been amazing, his growth in this area of giving and what he willing to do for this department.
IN JUST THE LAST TWO MONTHS CHIEF HALL HAS RECRUITED THREE NEW MEMBERS.
HE'S PASSING ON TO THESE YOUNG RECRUITS WHAT HIS FORMER LEADER TAUGHT HIM.
We just try to remember what he taught us and what we learned from him and use it in our everyday life.
WHEN BILL SKINNER LOST HIS BATTLE WITH PNEMONIA BACK IN MAY HALL DROVE THE FORMER LAKE ARROWHEAD CHIEF TO HIS FINAL RESTING PLACE...IN THE S-U-V SKINNER USED AT THE SCENE OF MANY BLAZES IN HIS 25 YEARS OF SERVICE.
He was always there to help people, don't ever forget him he trained us and that's what we are trying to live by.
CHIEF HALL IS CONSTANTLY STRIVING TO BETTER SERVE THE PEOPLE WHO DEPEND ON THE DEPARTMENT.
HE HAS RECENTLY BEEN WORKING TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AT THE STATION SO LAKE ARROWHEAD RESIDENTS CAN GET BETTER INSURANCE RATES.
They do everything they are dedicated. They love what they are doing and they do not get paid one penny.
MARTHA SEES THIS DAY IN AND DAY OUT AS A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT...BUT ALSO AS SOMEONE WHO CALLS LAKE ARROWHEAD HOME.
We have a very good relationship with the people around the lake. They see what we are doing and are willing to help anytime we ask for help.
JUST LIKE FOLKS OUT HERE KNOW THE NEXT TIME SMOKE BILLOWS ABOVE LAKE ARROWHEAD BELOW...CHIEF HALL AND HIS CREW WILL BE THERE TO RETURN THE HELP...AND THAT IS THE SPIRIT OF TEXOMA.
KELL WEST HOSPITAL CONGRATULATES MIKE HALL FOR HIS DEDICATION TO THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.
