STAFF R EPORT DeWitt County first responders faced five emergences over a twohour period late Thursday afternoon, Aug. 21, according to the DeWitt County Emergency Management and Floodplain Administration.
“This wasn’t just a string of emergencies,” Emergency Management Coordinator Billy Jordan said in a statement posted on the agency’s Facebook page. “It was a powerful demonstration of coordination, commitment, and community spirit. From dispatchers to first responders to support teams, every person contributed to the same mission: safeguarding DeWitt County.”
The incidents included two structure fires, a gas odor report and two medical calls, officials noted. The emergency calls came in between 5:19 p.m. and 7:48 p.m.
The apparent most significant emergency was a structure fire reportedly caused by a lightning strike to a house in the 700 block of North Clinton St., according to Cuero Fire Department Captain Clint Morris. Police closed the street so fire hoses could be stretched across the street to fight the blaze.
”The fire was mainly within the roof and attic area,” Morris said. “A good amount of water was used to extiguish the fire so there will be water and smoke damage. No one was harmed at this call that included Cuero, Yorktown and Nordheim Fire Departments.”
The emergencies not only taxed the first responders, but also supporting personnel, Jordan noted.
“Behind the scenes, our skilled dispatchers managed a flood of activity,” Jordan said. “Their calm coordination ensured resources were deployed quickly and effectively to protect lives and property.
The Cuero Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary provided food, water and encouragement; Jordan added.
“(It is) a reminder that community support is just as critical as the response on the front lines,” Jordan said.
Eighteen agencies responded to the rash of emergencies, including Cuero Fire Department, Cuero VFD, Yorktown VFD, Nordheim VFD, Thomaston VFD, Meyersville VFD, Nursery VFD, Cuero EMS, Yorktown EMS, GVEC, Texas Gas Service, Cuero Electric Department, Cuero Police Department, DeWitt County Sheriff’s Office, DeWitt county Pct #1, Texas Gas Service, De-Witt County Office of Emergency Management and Texas Division of Emergency Management.
