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Irving Fire Department History: 2000s

2000s

2000 - 2005

On June 29, 2000, Irving Fire Department High Angle Rescue Team makes a rescue of two workers from a scaffold that collapsed at waterway tower, it makes the national news.
In December of 2001, the first thermal imaging cameras were placed in service on the four truck companies and the two battalion chiefs only.
The Irving Fire Department Citizens Fire Academy was started in spring of 2002.
Chief Hickey retired in October 2002 and Chief Paul White started in January 2003 after serving with the Tyler Fire Department and Houston Fire Department.
In October of 2003, the first fire safety house for the City of Irving is placed in service.
The Public Education Station, at 1203 Glenwick (old Station 5, which was originally built in 1967), opened in 2004. This station has a suburban, a pickup and a retired 1988 engine. This station is used for public education services with one public education coordinator located there. Another fire prevention specialist is assigned to this station and is responsible for inspections of all schools in the City of Irving, public (there are three school districts in the City of Irving) and private. He also inspects the hotels and motels in the City of Irving. The public education station is also the home of the Irving Fire Department Citizens Fire Academy.
In August of 2004, the Lofts fire occurred, a four-alarm fire involving an apartment complex under construction at Lake Carolyn.
In December of 2005, Captain Holder, E1B, celebrates his 50th anniversary with the Irving Fire Department. Chief White retired in July 2006, and assistant Chief Evitts was appointed interim fire chief.

2006 - 2010

The first Quint truck arrived in September 2006 and was assigned as Truck 8.
On Oct. 29, 2006, the first Irving firefighter’s ball was held at the Four Seasons Resort. The event was to raise money for scholarships for Irving Fire Department firefighter’s children.
On Jan. 8, 2007, Mario Molina was hired as the chief. Chief Molina came from the Carrollton Fire Department with 17 years of experience.
In June of 2007, the “Vial of Life” program begins with help from Walmart. The program provides a plastic container that senior citizens place their medical history in and then place in their refrigerator with a special magnet on the outside. This provides up-to-date medical history for paramedics in the event that the victim is unconscious.
In August of 2007, new thermal imaging cameras are placed in service on all front line fire apparatus.
On Nov. 7, 2007, Truck 9 was placed in service on a quint with a 100-foot ladder / platform and a 2000 gpm pump.
In 2008, a tactical paramedic program is started in conjunction with the Irving Police Department tactical team.
In June of 2008, Irving Fire Department bike paramedics are introduced to be used at special events.
On July 21, 2008, the first three lieutenants start in the fire prevention division - Gibbs, Malone, and Austin.
In October of 2008, a third assistant fire chief, Victor Conley, is appointed by the chief.
On Dec. 20, 2008, the last home game of the Dallas Cowboys is played at Texas Stadium. The Irving Fire Department has maintained a regular presence at the stadium since it opened. Fire prevention specialists have been onsite during all events at the stadium to check for fire and life-safety hazards. In recent years firefighters have also been onsite to ensure the safety of the fans due to lack of adequate fire sprinkler protection.
In February of 2009, the Irving Fire Department’s first fireboat is placed in service on Lake Carolyn. The fireboat has a 250 horsepower motor, a 1,250 gpm fire pump, and fold-down sides to help with rescues.
On April 13, 2009, the first Bell Ceremony Team appeared at FEO Bill Gandy’s funeral.
In November of 2009, an ASAP all-terrain ambulance placed into service. It will be used for special outdoor events.
On April 11, 2010, Texas stadium was imploded.
In April of 2010, Truck 2 is replaced with a new quint, leaving Truck 7 as the only truck without a pump.
In April of 2010, Rescue 6 is placed in service replacing the “Bread Truck” that had been used previously. Rescue 6 is a heavy rescue vehicle used by the Technical Rescue Team at Station 6.
In June of 2010, Fire Marshal Ken Lewallen retired after 32 years with the Irving Fire Department. He is only the second fire marshal the City of Irving has had.