The mechanic had started working on the fire truck on Thursday and said everything was fine when he left Thursday. On Friday, he found the compartments on the fire vehicles open and noticed that the generator was missing. It was discovered that someone had forced open a rear door at the station. Once inside, they began removing items from a pumper truck and water tender. Gone were four air packs worth a total of $26,000, a large exhaust fan used to draw smoke out of a structure worth $3,000, a $2,500 generator, a tool box and tools worth $800, two chain saws worth $750, two lights worth $300, two axes worth $100 and three gas cans worth $50.

The new fire station will be located in Weslaco City Commission District 5, near District 4. It will replace fire station No. 1, located at 901 N. Airport Drive near the expressway. The city plans to sell fire station No. 1. The city also plans to utilize two $500,000 grants from the Knapp Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife to construct Northside Park near the new fire station.

Five pick-up trucks were purchased from the S.C. Forestry Commission and will be re-purposed for the fire district. The trucks were purchased for a total of $11,400.

Four of the trucks will be go in the field and will be used as brush trucks. The trucks will carry 200 to 300 gallons of water with a pump and hose.

 

The brush trucks will replace existing 1970s and 1980 models the S.C. Forestry Commission previously loaned the county. The trucks have been given back to the Forestry Commission.

“I mean, it’s kind of surprising,” said Chief Dale Peterson. “They see we are volunteers, and for somebody to take something that we use for our protection to help them out while fighting fires, it’s surprising that they would do that.”  

Around 10 pieces of bunker gear, pants, and overcoats were stolen from the shed. Peterson said the stolen gear was outdated, but it was still used for vital training exercises. It won’t be replaced until the current gear that they wear on emergency calls hits the 10-year mark.