After the rain the sun shines.
And the sun has recently shone brightly for Gainesville Fire-Rescue after a local group composed of business and industry officials joined together to provide and equip a new water rescue boat.
The boat, a Zodiac Futura, will be a greatly needed tool for firefighters encountering floodwaters such as those experienced on June 18, 2007, according to a press release.
The boat was provided through Weber Aircraft, L.P., whose parent company is Zodiac. Working with Weber officials, former Gainesville Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief Malcom Foster researched and found the optimum boat for water rescue needs was the Zodiac. A call was then made to Weber Aircraft to determine if any assistance could be given in obtaining the boat. The information was relayed to John Walterscheid, vice president and general manager of Weber Aircraft who immediately began the process of obtaining the boat.
Working with Adri Ruiter, President of Weber Aircraft, the two contacted officials with Zodiac and explained the need. The response from Zodiac was an overwhelming answer of “yes.” Zodiac Marine Division provided the Rescue Boat at factory cost to Weber Aircraft for the donation to the Fire Department.
Hearing the story about the boat and the lack of equipment, Joe Odell, president of Plano Machine, and Giles Walterscheid, president of Superior Tooling Products, immediately stepped in and began working on obtaining funding for a motor and related equipment for the boat.
Their efforts paid off immediately with offers of assistance and funds from others in the community. Together, they were able to acquire sufficient funds to cover the costs of the controls and additional equipment for the boat.
One of the first contacts Odell and Walterscheid made was to Joe Wallace, president of North Texas Marine. Wallace quickly offered his company’s services to complete the installation of equipment on the boat. At the same time, Wallace began calling representatives from Suzuki Boat Motors inquiring about the possibility of obtaining a boat motor. Officials from Suzuki responded with an offer to provide the motor at half the cost.
According to Gainesville Fire-Rescue Chief Steve Boone, the boat would add a new dimension to the department’s capabilities.
“We will have immediately available a rescue boat equipped to undertake rescues in swift water,” Boone said. “The process has already started for training our personnel in the use of the new boat and re-developing our swift water rescue team. Gainesville Fire-Rescue cannot begin to express their gratitude to Zodiac, Weber Aircraft, North Texas Marine, Plano Machine and Superior Tooling Products and Suzuki Boat Motors for what they have accomplished for the citizens of Gainesville.”
The boat is to be housed at GainesvilleFire-Rescue Station No. 1. When training on the new equipment is completed and the team established, the unit and team would be available for response, not only in the city but to all areas of Cooke County and the surrounding region.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Zodiac to the rescue (© Staff photo by Delania Trigg)
Guest Book
New rescue boat obtained for Gainesville Fire-Rescue
- Local News
-
-
Randy Travis arrested in Sanger
SANGER — Country singer Randy Travis was arrested Monday morning in Sanger on a charge of suspicion of public intoxication.
-
In Memory of Andy
Gainesville Middle School designated Monday as Andy’s Lakers Day, in honor of Andy Sandoval, a GMS seventh-grader, who recently died of a brain aneurysm.
-
GHS students take top place finishes at academic meet
Several Gainesville High School students had top place finishes at the Ryan High School academic meet on Saturday.
Sophomores Mark Clark and Alexander “Alex” Huerta lead the leap of GHS leopards competing. -
Gainesville woman hit by car
THACKERVILLE, OKLA. — A road collision early Sunday morning near Thackerville injured one female pedestrian, a Gainesville resident whose identification has not been released by officials.
-
Gainesville native fights for justice
IDABEL, Okla. — An Idabel, Okla. police officer — reeling from the death of his friend and fellow officer — is trying to beef up his state’s negligent homicide laws.
-
As deadline approaches, election day unclear
As the Texas primary election approaches, a muddle continues locally and statewide as to exactly when election day arrives.
-
House District 68 candidates present platforms
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second part of a two-part report.
Texas House District 68 representative opponents stressed their intentions to mend local problems via “rural values” during Thursday’s candidate forum -
Cooke County emerges out of drought
For residents in Cooke County, one of the most severe droughts in Texas history is no longer a concern — for the time being, anyway.
-
Souper Bowl a super success
The aroma of some dozen different homemade soups filled the air Sunday in the lunchroom at the First Christian Church in Gainesville.
-
A mother's Love
VALLEY VIEW — She’s a crusader for special needs children and their parents, but Valley View resident Wendi Tipps doesn’t think of herself as a hero.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Murder Trial for Ex-U.Va. Lacrosse Player Begins
NY Giants Touch Down Victorious
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
