Published: March 10, 2008 12:19 pm         

Era VFD set to hold annual fundraiser barbecue

It takes a lot of effort to keep a volunteer fire department functioning. The 19 members of Era VFD face the same challenges other Cooke County volunteer fire departments face.

Firefighter Keith Bentley said expenses such as insurance — it costs about $6,000 a year to insure the departments’ volunteers and equipment — can be a hardship on the small department.

Fuel for vehicles is another concern.

“The price has just gone completely out of sight,” he said.

In response to the need for funding, the department is set to hold its only major fund raiser, the Glenn Scott Memorial Barbecue, from 5 to 8 p.m., Saturday, March 15 in the Era school cafeteria.

Scott was an Era resident who was, according to current Era VFD members, a longtime volunteer whose death from a heart attack shocked and saddened those who had served with him.

“We added his name to our barbecue as a way of honoring Glenn’s committment to the fire department and the community,” one member said.

The barbecue features a meal prepared by firefighters and homemade desserts.

The department is also scheduled to hold a raffle for two quarter beefs, two half hogs and $500 cash as well as a silent auction.

The silent auction is expected to offer tools, services, baked goods and other items.

Bentley said this year’s fundraiser is especially important for the department. The firefighters are working to outfit a large brush truck. A substantial grant from the Texas Forest Service is going a long way toward paying for the truck, but included in the costs of the vehicle are modifications to make the truck suitable for service.

“It’s going to cost about $140,000,” Bentley said. A Muenster company is expected to build a bed for the truck and mount the vehicle’s water tank.

Bentley said the department also hopes to obtain some new bunker gear and SCBAS (self-contained breathing apparatus) for its firefighters.

Bunker gear costs about $1,500 per person, he noted.

The department wants to let guests know that construction at Era schools will affect parking the night of the event.

“Due to school construction, guests will need to enter from the west drive and west side of the cafeteria,” member Denise Pearse said in a press release.

Bentley said the volunteer fire department appreciates the support it has always received from the community.

“The whole community has really gone out of its way to support us,” he said.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children.