A Message about Fire Safety from Chief Michael Starr

Southlake Fire Chief Michael Starr

When you are a firefighter, being there when people need you is just part of the job.  But in this day and age it means more than just fighting the fires and ensuring the safety of the people who live in just one city.  It means being there when other Cities are in need as well.

The recent fire in Trophy Club is a great example.  Right now there is an elevated fire danger in the North Texas area.  That means conditions are ripe for brush fires which could cause a lot of damage to land and possibly even people’s homes.  Southlake Firefighters, along with more than dozen other agencies, were in Trophy Club all night long helping put that fire out as part of a Mutual Aid agreement with that town and several others.

Mutual aid is critical to our success in keeping you and your family safe.  When fires burn beyond a certain stage, it becomes an all-hands on deck situation, and it doesn’t really matter what the patch on side of your arm says.  There is a cost to mutual aid, and it is part of the fire department’s annual budget, but it is well worth it and I am grateful for the assistance when Southlake is the City in need.

Our most recent structure fire on Whittington Drive is another great example.  The fire went three alarms and we needed help.  Although the house was a loss, there were no injuries.  One Southlake DPS Facebook poster said it best: “At least there were no injuries or loss of life. That’s what counts.”

Wide view of a brush fire near Trophy Club, March 11, 2014

As we get closer to spring and then summer, please be sure that you are aware of current fire dangers so that you and your family stay safe.  Working together we can help each other get through the upcoming fire season and any dangers that may come with it.