Current:Home > NewsTexas emergency management chief believes the state needs its own firefighting aircraft-LoTradeCoin
Texas emergency management chief believes the state needs its own firefighting aircraft
View Date:2024-12-24 00:04:25
PAMPA, Texas (AP) — Texas’ top emergency manager told a panel of lawmakers that the state should establish its own firefighting aircraft division after a series of wildfires, including the largest in state history, scorched the Panhandle region this year.
But the local landowners tasked with helping the Legislature investigate the fires that were responsible for at least two deaths and burned through more than 1 million acres raised doubt during a Tuesday meeting in Pampa over the state’s ability to handle such catastrophes.
“We don’t control our own destiny, and I want to control our destiny,” Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, told a crowd of more than 100 people at the MK Brown Heritage Room.
Pampa, a town of about 16,000 in Gray County about an hour northeast of Amarillo, is closer to Oklahoma than the Texas Capitol. Lawmakers decided to hold the hearings there to make it easier for victims of the fire to attend.
“This is not a Panhandle problem. This will have statewide effects,” Republican Rep. Ken King, the committee’s chair, told the mixed crowd of suits and cowboy hats. “We must do what we can to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
The panel is expected to discuss what contributed to the wildfires, the allocation of response resources and the effectiveness of wildfire disaster preparedness.
It will also examine the coordination between local, state, and federal government agencies regarding prevention, disaster preparedness and response and plans to publish its report by May 1.
For days, ranchers and residents could only look to the sky and wonder where firefighting aircraft were as they watched the historic Smokehouse Creek fire rip across their land.
The fire, ignited by power lines, killed at least two people and left a charred landscape as it burned nearly 1,700 square miles (4,400 square kilometers) and spilled into neighboring Oklahoma.
Dozens of families were displaced after their homes and ranches were destroyed and their livestock killed.
Without its own fleet of aircraft to fight fires, Texas relies on a series of contractors. Many of the planes were being serviced at the time the fires started in late February.
“Did the federal government jump through hoops to catch up? Yes. But there was a delay,” said Kidd, who has led TDEM for more than 13 years.
Kidd suggested Texas build its own firefighting air force with up to six aircrafts, costing at least $50 million.
“It won’t be an easy venture to start with, and we will have to continue with contracts while this is built up and people are trained. It will take some time, ” Kidd said.
He said the state would still need to utilize a mixture of private contracts and other options in the meantime.
Emmet Webb, who owns of Brazos River Helicopters and assisted with aerial firefighting efforts using his private helicopter, said Wyoming has one state-owned fire fighting helicopter to quickly address wildfires in their state.
The average cost of a firefighting helicopter is $1 to 2 million depending on the type, but once equipment is added the price can reach up to $40 million each.
Landowner Jason Abraham said he was skeptical of a state owned firefighting air force. Throughout the day long hearing, Abraham, local fire chiefs and other first responders levied sharp criticism of the state’s response.
“I am asking if we are sure we want Texas to be in charge of this because we have seen these guys in action. They do not have a good reputation,” Abraham said.
Another issue raised was a lack of communication between Panhandle volunteer fire departments and state and federal agencies. Officials said communication was fractured due to different radio frequencies between volunteer fire departments and state agencies.
“We have to get all on the same system statewide, but we can’t afford to upgrade to digital. All we can do is hope and pray a grant comes along until then we are staying with the system we have,” said Trent Price, Hoover Volunteer Fire Department Chief.
___
This story was produced by The Texas Tribune.
veryGood! (3968)
Related
- 'Wheel of Fortune' contestant makes viral mistake: 'Treat yourself a round of sausage'
- Barges are bringing cranes to Baltimore to help remove bridge wreckage and open shipping route
- Italy expands controversial program to take mafia children from their families before they become criminals
- Family of Boeing whistleblower John Barnett speaks out following his death
- Conviction and 7-year sentence for Alex Murdaugh’s banker overturned in appeal of juror’s dismissal
- Tax return extensions: Why you should (or shouldn't) do it and how to request one
- Where is Gonzaga? What to know about Bulldogs' home state, location and more
- NTSB says police had 90 seconds to stop traffic, get people off Key Bridge before it collapsed
- Question of a lifetime: Families prepare to confront 9/11 masterminds
- Kenya begins handing over 429 bodies of doomsday cult victims to families: They are only skeletons
Ranking
- Are Ciara Ready and Russell Wilson Ready For Another Baby? She Says…
- Candace Cameron Bure Details Her Battle With Depression
- Alex Rodriguez's bid to become majority owner of Timberwolves falls through. Here's why
- Twitch streamer Tyler 'Ninja' Blevins reveals skin cancer diagnosis, encourages skin checkups
- Wreck of Navy destroyer USS Edsall known as 'the dancing mouse' found 80 years after sinking
- Minnesota teen gets 4 years as accomplice in fatal robbery that led to police shooting of Amir Locke
- What to know about Purdue center Zach Edey: Height, weight, more
- Jamie-Lynn Sigler, multiple sclerosis and the wisdom she's picked up along the way
Recommendation
-
She's a trans actress and 'a warrior.' Now, this 'Emilia Pérez' star could make history.
-
US economic growth for last quarter is revised up slightly to a healthy 3.4% annual rate
-
Black pastors see popular Easter services as an opportunity to rebuild in-person worship attendance
-
BlackRock CEO said 'retirement crisis' needs to be addressed for younger generations losing hope
-
Padma Lakshmi, John Boyega, Hunter Schafer star in Pirelli's 2025 calendar: See the photos
-
Joe Lieberman, longtime senator and 2000 vice presidential nominee, dies at 82
-
Hailey Bieber Goes Makeup-Free to Discuss Her Perioral Dermatitis Skin Condition
-
I Tried 83 Beauty Products This Month. These 15 Are Worth Your Money: Milk Makeup, Glossier, and More