The Smyer Volunteer Fire Department sent a crew north to the City of Stennett Thursday to aid their fire personnel as fire threats continue in the Panhandle area.
Smyer VFD Chief Chris Bradberry announced Thursday they were sending a relief unit consisting of Captain Michael Drachenberg, Assistant Fire Chief Casey Eoff and Fire Fighters Trent Anthony and Tim Mayhall to Stinnett.
Bradberry explained that Eoff had contacts in the Panhandle as he was previously employed with the Texas Forest Service. Eoff reached out to the Stinnett Volunteer Fire Department and their Chief Alan Wells and asked what they needed.
Bradberry added that the Stinnett was struggling due to the lack of man power which prompted the call for relief. After a couple of conversations, Eoff, Bradberry and the Smyer Mayor Joe Riddle held a meeting Wednesday evening and decided that a small group could be sent to help.
By Thursday morning, the team was on the road to Stinnett. The group assisted in 17 calls for service in the Stinnett area and allowed the Stinnett crew to gain much needed rest as they had been operating for roughly 80 hours straight due to the conditions. By Sunday, the crew returned to Smyer.
“Our guys would man the station at night and then would make runs with them throughout the day while they were there for a couple of days,” said Bradberry.