PALO PINTO—Palo Pinto County Commissioners appointed Lone Camp resident Casey McGlaun to the Emergency Services District No. 1’s board, May 12.
The Hi Lo Country Homebuilders owner and Lone Camp Volunteer Firefighter said County Judge Shane Long asked him to consider the position when it opened up last month. Former Sheriff Brett McGuire resigned from the five-member panel to teach at Weatherford Police Academy.
“It’s part of doing my part as a community member to help represent the Lone Camp area,” McGlaun said.
Lone Camp VFD is struggling with emergency call response, delayed response times, no participation in county-wide interagency training programs and a continuing decline in volunteer staff levels, according to a March 18 ESD No. 1 news release. But instead of terminating the contract with the fire service, board members gave the department time to improve.
ESD No.1 provides fire protection and emergency medical services countywide, excluding Mineral Wells and the southeast corner of the county, which is covered by ESD No. 2.
McGlaun has been a homebuilder for 35 years with previous volunteer firefighting experience in New Mexico. He’s also ranched, farmed and is a former school board member.
McGlaun said he was motivated to join the Lone Camp VFD and apply for the ESD No. 1 seat to help revitalize the embattled fire department.
“Once the situation arose and the condition Lone Camp was in, I felt the need to volunteer,” McGlaun explained. “And I think we’re on the road to recovery.”
Lone Camp VFD now has 17 active firefighters and about 12 new recruits, McGlaun said. The team has been organizing its own trainings and attending those of other departments, he added.
The Lone Camp VFD also has a new chief, Jimmy Kilgore. The veteran first responder was a leader with the Odessa fire department before moving to the area.
“(ESD No. 1 is) trying to standardize the county fire departments and I’m on board with that,” McGlaun said.
ESD No. 1 Board President Brent Nance said he’s had several conversations with McGlaun regarding Lone Camp VFD and other community concerns and he’s optimistic about what the new appointee brings to the table.
“He seems like a normal, level-headed guy who wants to make things better,” Nance said.
McGlaun has also been instrumental in preserving one of the state’s oldest and most historically significant roadways, Farm-to-Market Road 4. He cofounded the Save FM4 website to bring awareness on how the Turkey Peak Reservoir project will impact the scenic thoroughfare and surrounding community. Visit www.savefm4.com.
