August 5 , 2008
MFD EMPLOYEES DEPLOY TO COAST
Three Midland Fire Department employees have arrived in College Station and are awaiting their assignments as they prepare for any needed emergency response in connection with Tropical Storm Edouard.
The Midland Fire Department had a request to activate members of the Region 4 Incident Management Team (IMT) to respond to the Tropical storm threat in the Gulf.
The team members that responded on Monday include David Hickman, Asst. Fire Marshal Midland FD; James Howard, Fire Inspector Midland FD; Battalion Chief Vince Hancock, Midland FD; and Captain Bobby Valles, Odessa FD. These individuals will help organize relief efforts to the affected areas of the storm by providing information to the public and responders, tracking finances and resources in the area, and performing other management duties. The teams are working under the direction of the Texas Forest Service emergency response team.
The region 4 IMT has responded locally in the past to grass fires in Midland, Andrews, Martin County, and the Alon refinery explosion.
The Incident Management teams were developed in response to the storms that hit Louisiana and Texas a few years ago. There are 8 teams throughout Texas including the team here in the Permian Basin. Region 4 Team members are comprised of individuals from Midland, Odessa, Big Spring, and Fort Stockton.
LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY KICKS OFF
The Midland Police Department is among four departments in the area with recruits in the current Permian Basin Regional Law Enforcement Academy. The class is the largest by number of enrolled.
The media is invited to attend a defensive tactics session on Thursday, August 7, 2008, at 4:00 p.m. at the MPD Firing Range.
There are 16 recruits in the academy. Ten, all men, are attempting to become officers with the Midland Police Department. Big Spring PD, Howard County Sheriff’s Office and the Seminole PD all have officer candidates going through the academy as well.
The 18-week session kicked off on Monday, August 4. The successful candidates are scheduled to graduate on December 5, 2008. The academy includes a rigorous academic schedule, physical fitness, as well has defensive tactics training. All are required to pass the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education exam at the end of the academy.
The Midland Police Department currently has vacancies for 12 officers. The MPD is currently working to test and fill spots for the next academy in February 2009.
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