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AVFD deploys AMBUS to Bastrop Fire - Bastrop, Texas
Monday, September 5, 2011

The Atascocita Fire Department made State of Texas history when AVFD responded with MPV 6-2 to the first AMBUS (Ambulance-Bus) deployment in Texas history. MPV 6-2 is a large custom built bus that is capable of accommodating and transporting 26 patients while providing advanced level care. MPV 6-2 was purchased by the South East Texas Regional Advisory Council (SETRAC) for hospital evacuations and large scale disaster responses. The AMBUS is the first in Texas and is housed, staffed, and operated by the Atascocita Fire Department while remaining an asset of SETRAC. On Monday, September 5, 2011, the unified command of the Bastrop Complex Wildfire in Bastrop, Texas requested the asset through SETRAC, and the Atascocita Fire Department responded along with MCHD. The AMBUS was staffed with an Ambulance Strike Team Leader and 3 paramedics from both AVFD and MCHD. MPV 6-2 responded to the worst wild fire in Texas history, which has reportedly destroyed thousands of homes and killed 4 people. MPV 6-2 arrived on location and immediately established a rehab and medical aid station. While on deployment, MPV 6-2 assisted hundreds of fire suppression, law enforcement, and utility staff with rehab, hydration, and emergency medical aid. The crews worked in 12 hour shifts and 2-3 day operational deployments, providing 24 hour staffing of MPV 6-2 until demobilization by incident command. While MPV 6-2 was deployed, AVFD fire suppression staff was also very busy assisting several surrounding departments with mutual aid requests for large wildfires. AVFD also responded to numerous brush and grass fires in their own district during this time. AVFD reminds residents of Atascocita that there is still an active burn ban in effect for Harris County and residents should be on high alert for fire. The Atascocita area, along with the majority of Texas, is under extreme fire risk due to lack of rain and high temperatures. Even small fires can quickly spread and become out of control in just a few moments and residents are requested to report any fire activity immediately by calling 911.