July 29, 2025 - Six members of the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department recently attended a week of training at the 96th Annual Texas Fire Training School presented by the Texas Engineering Extension Service, a division of the Texas A&M University System. The school is held at the Brayton Fire Training Field, the largest training facility of its kind in the world.
Firefighter Brock Pugh, Firefighter Julie Bates, and Assistant Fire Chief Michael Bates completed HAZMAT Awareness and Operations. Firefighter Michael Parker took Common Passenger Vehicle Extrication, and Assistant Fire Chief Stephen Ewing served as a Guest Instructor in ASP-701 Fundamentals of Fire Attack.
Over 800 students and 300 instructors participated in the school this year. The school offers courses in all disciplines of fire/ rescue, from basic firefighter skills to all types of technical rescue, to officer development and leadership training. The Joaquin VFD has maintained a presence at the school every year since 1973, recognizing it as an invaluable resource to acquire the training necessary to meet the needs of a growing community.
