Oncor donates $20,000 to Salt Creek VFD

Salt Creek Volunteer Fire Department received a $20,000 boost from the Oncor Cares Foundation as part of an effort to support fire departments in west and northwest Texas counties.

Oncor Area Manager Gordon Drake presented the check to the volunteer department Monday, Nov. 3. The grant is part of a $520,000 investment that the Oncor foundation is making to 26 volunteer fire departments.

The departments chosen for the grant were based on their volunteer status, community value and challenges they face while fighting fires in their respective area.

“Any grant funds provided by the Oncor Cares Foundation will be used to operate, maintain, train and replace firefighting equipment which we understand can help make a big difference for these volunteer fire departments,” Drake said.

Every two years, Salt Creek VFD sends out a letter campaign to property owners in their fire coverage area seeking donations, with few unsolicited donations such as the one from Oncor.

Salt Creek VFD Chief Bobby Hadderton said grants like these are a way for them to remain equipped in the field.

“The main (benefit of grants like these are) to provide personal protective equipment and other firefighting gear that we have to purchase that is more expensive these days,” Hadderton said.

While typically the volunteer department has struggled with personnel, Hadderton said his station is fortunate to have almost a full staff.

“The hardest thing (for the department) is just responding during business hours when people are at work,” Hadderton said. 

Salt Creek VFD is one of six volunteer fire departments located within Young County that responds to fires and other emergencies. Drake said that all volunteer departments play a crucial role in the communities they serve.

“Safety is a part of everything we do at Oncor and the volunteer fire fighters represent a part of the many important safety partners we work with across our service area,” he said.