City of Sweetwater-Sweetwater Fire Department

In this continuing series of looking at 2023, residents of Sweetwater can be proud of their Fire Department.

2023 was quite a busy year with the Sweetwater Fire Department crews responding to many fire and EMS calls. The Sweetwater Fire Department also had the opportunity to participate in multiple community outreach opportunities throughout the year. The Fire Department is appreciative to the Sweetwater and Nolan County communities for the continued support for their department. The Fire Department looks forward to serving the community in 2024.

For comparative 2023 at a glance, there were 2,386 EMS calls for service versus 2022 where were 2,525.

Regarding Fire Department Service Calls, there were 579 service- related calls in 2023, whereas 2022 had 618 service calls.

There were 9 structure fires and 30 grass, wildland, brush and vegetation fires in 2023. Regarding motor vehicle collision calls, there were 52 calls in 2023 and 68 in 2022.

While there were fewer service calls in 2023 when compared to 2022, it doesn’t suggest that the job that the Sweetwater Fire Department does is any less dangerous. The Department keeps the community safe and for that we are grateful. “Words alone cannot express how blessed every member of this community is by the caliber

there of personnel who make up the Sweetwater Fire Department. Providing both fire and advanced life support ambulance services, every member of this Fire/EMS department is second to none. Training is a major component of Fire and EMS response. Our firefighters and officers train daily to be prepared for whatever situation you can conceivably imagine. Just when you think you have seen everything, the next 911 call comes in. This daily training and preparation are one of the many reasons that Sweetwater has such an amazing force of Firefighters, EMTs, and Paramedics. In fact, in 2023 alone, Division Chief of Training Lieutenant Tad Bard has obtained donations and grants totaling nearly $51,000 toward the training and development of our emergency services personnel. Moving forward to 2024, we are remaining focused on service delivery and whatever we are called to handle. In order to do just that, we are strategically planning out the purchase of the various equipment and vehicles, such as fire apparatus and ambulances. One of our main goals is for every member of the community to know that Sweetwater Fire Department strives to be a good steward of the resources provided to us by the citizens of Sweetwater. We will never compromise on being a good steward of our resources.”

Sweetwater Fire Department Chief Dewey Coy said...