The Marfa Volunteer Fire Department is staffed by 17 volunteers. The Fire Chief is the only pain member, because he also serves as the Presidio County Emergency Management Coordinator. Technically, he is also a MVFD volunteer firefighter.
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"Fire department receives limited funding
July 16th, 2015
By SARAH M. VASQUEZ
MARFA – The word “volunteer” in the Marfa Volunteer Fire Department’s (MVFD) is just that, 17 volunteer firefighters, including Chief Gary Mitschke and Assistant Chief Gilbert Lujan.
Mitschke receives some compensation for being the Presidio County Emergency Management Coordinator and fire marshal, but the fire department runs solely on donations and the limited funds it receives from Presidio County and the city of Marfa.
The department became incorporated in the mid-1990s, meaning it is a separate entity managed by its members and board of directors. That status also helps to secure grants. The department is not technically owned by the county or the city, however they serve both political subdivisions.
Mitschke said the department makes do with about $35,000 each year, which helps fund training, fuel and equipment. The county’s budget funds the Marfa and Presidio fire departments with amounts that vary from year to year. This year’s budget for MVFD is $15,000 that goes toward operating expenses, but it doesn’t cover everything.
“Sometimes it doesn’t pay fuel on a busy year,” said Mitschke.
The city of Marfa budgeted $20,000 for MVFD’s operating expenses this year, according to City Administrator Jim Mustard, and that funding comes from residents’ donations through the city’s utility bill. Two items on the bill include EMS/Fire Department listed for $5 and an additional $2.50. Marfa EMS receives $5 and the MVFD receives $2.50.
The thing is that these donations are completely voluntary, and according to those at Marfa City Hall, many residents, both longtime and new, have opted out of paying it.
“It has gone down every year since I’ve been here,” said Mustard.
However, City of Marfa Utility Clerk Lori Flores said some residents do decide to make a yearly donation instead.
The city also budgeted an additional $20,000 for improvements to the firehouse, which is owned by the city, and also sponsors the firefighters with a retirement program through the state.
The city used to provide free water service to the firefighters for compensation before 2009, but it only applied to those who live within the city limits. The city had to stop the program as it interfered with grant funding, but Mitschke feels the retirement program is more equitable for everybody in the department.
Other ways the MVFD has received funds is through fundraisers thrown by local organizations or themselves. Due to the time constraints between the 17 volunteers, the department hasn’t held one in awhile.
Mitschke said the budget and staffing situation is typical for small volunteer fire departments and thinks Marfa is better off than a lot of them. It’s still difficult to handle though.
“We have to do the same things that the big cities do essentially with a whole lot less personnel and support people,” said Mitschke. “It’s a challenge. It’s a big challenge.”"