About the Department

The Midway Volunteer Fire Department started out as a sub-station for the East Grand Plains Volunteer Fire Department. It was spun off as its own department in November 1983 using an old truck donated to them by the East Grand Plains Volunteer Fire Department. It was located on No-Name Road and operated out of a 1-car garage owned by the Chesser family. The garage allowed a 1-inch clearance on either side of the unit so it was a little difficult to maneuver in. Shortly after that, the department received a 6x6 from the Berrendo Volunteer Fire Department that had the wiring burned up. Once they completely replaced all of the wiring, they were set to go. When they received the 6x6, they moved out of the 1-car garage into a building that is located at Highway 285 and Darby Road.

In 1984, the County built them a 40x60 metal building that did not have any interior features so they had to install their own plumbing. They received a Legislative Grant that allowed them to completely finish their building and add on a training facility and kitchen.

The department was also the first department in Chaves County to receive new fire trucks purchased with the County Gross Receipts tax revenues. Chief Lang of East Grand Plains, Chief Fuller of Midway, Chief Powell of Penasco, Chief Collins of Sierra and Chief Bowen of Berrendo Volunteer Fire Departments held a meeting, setting up the Fire Apparatus Replacement Schedule which sets out the guidelines and time-frame for the replacement of County Fire Apparatus and use of the Gross Receipts Tax. In 2010, the department completed the construction of its 2nd Main Station. This new station is a 4 bay station complete with a training facility and kitchen.

This department has 20 members.

Fire Apparatus

• Pumper 1
  2009 Freightliner with a 1,250 GPM pump and a 1,500-gallon tank
• Pumper 2
  1992 Chevrolet with a 1,250 GPM pump and a 1,500-gallon tank
• Pumper 3
  1984 GMC with a 750 GPM pump and a 1,000-gallon tank
• Tanker 1
  1994 Freightliner with a 500 GPM pump and a 3,000-gallon tank
• Urban-Interface Attack Vehicle 1
  2012 Ford F550 with a 500 GPM pump and a 500-gallon tank
• Urban-Interface Attack Vehicle 2
  2005 Ford F550 with a 200 GPM pump and a 500-gallon tank
• Urban-Interface Attack Vehicle 3
  2001 Ford F550 with a 200 GPM pump and a 500-gallon tank
• Urban-Interface Attack Vehicle 4
  1996 Chevrolet with a 200 GPM pump and a 350-gallon tank
• Urban-Interface Attack Vehicle 5
  1982 Chevrolet with a 500 GPM pump and a 450-gallon tank
• Command Unit
  2009 Ford Expedition

ISO Rating & Funding

The department has an ISO rating of 6 and will receive $117,168 for their base FY2013 Fire Fund Act Allocation. The Midway Volunteer Fire Department is the only department in Chaves County to still be operating under their original Fire Chief.