The DMR was established as a 9000 + acre subdivision by the Global Land Corporation in 1972. It was divided into 800 tracks that averaged 5.5 acres, more than 5 less than 6, with some larger tracks mixed in and some large common areas. Limpia Creek drainage runs through the subdivision and its head waters are just off the Northwest boundary on Nature Conservancy property. Mt Livermore, the 2^nd highest peak in Texas is just off the Northwest boundary as well. We are surrounded by private ranch land on three sides and the Nature Conservancy on the 4^th. We are considered a Desert Island, high altitude mountains of mixed pine and oak forest surrounded by desert grass land. Our climax vegetation is Ponderosa and pinion pine with juniper and 5 species of oak trees.  Average altitude is around 5600 feet with some of the higher portions at 6000 feet +. We average around 16 – 17 inches of rain annually, although we have been in a drought for quite a few years.  There are approximately 600 property owners and 350 full time residents in the DMR and about 300 structures. We have 75 miles of unpaved roads; most are single lane.

The DMPOA VFD, INC. (Davis Mountains Property Owners Association Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., legal name) is a 501 C-3 non-profit Corporation. We also do business as DMRVFD. The area of coverage the DMRVFD is responsible for is around 60,000 acres. This roughly encompasses on highway 166 at Blue Mountain, north to Bloys Baptist encampment / Crow’s Nest subdivision. Then through the DMR and east to the Gerry ranch ending on highway 118 north. Funding for our department is through the Emergency Service District of Jeff Davis County. We receive an annual budget of $33,000.00 with which to operate our department. We just got a raise after 10 years of operating on a budget of $23,000.00 annually. Every item is accounted for through our budget submitted to the ESD. Any addition purchases must be made through our regular account. This account is funded through extensive fund raising and community donations. We also maintain an accrual/savings account for vehicle replacement and emergencies. Though it must be said that account was severely depleted in 2023. We own our equipment outright. We have one UTV that belongs to the ESD but everything else we have paid for ourselves. We owe no money and have no loans or liens.  We are part of the Jeff Davis County Emergency Service District. We have a corporative agreement with Fort Davis, Valentine and Cherry Creek Fire Departments that make up the four EDS funded departments in our county. McDonald Observatory has a small fire department privately funded by the University of Texas systems. Over the last 20 years we have had 5 major fires that were either in the DMR or surrounding area. The largest was the Rock House fire in 2011, that crept in the northeast part of the resort. Next was the Tejano fire, (2011) that started in the DMR. Livermore Fire, (2012) came into the DMR from the Nortwest. The McDannel fire, (2018) made it way in the west. Finally, the Loop Complex fire (2018) that made its way in from the North. These fires required assistance from the Forest Service, state and federal agencies.

The Davis Mountains Resort Property Owners Association Volunteer Fire Department, Inc, (aka DMRVFD) was established in 1975 by a few property owners who had some fire experience. The first fire Chief was Bernie Lannom with Assistant Chief Noel Thompson with help from Charles Fellers and Jerry Rhea. They had nothing but their own personal trucks, carried water in whatever they had and with the help from some brave community members, fought fire with wet burlap bags. The first fire house was an old rock water tank that was made taller and a roof added, leased from the Property Owners Association for 1 dollar a year. It renews again in 2036. It is still in use today as storage for the department. The first fire truck was on old welding rig bought in 1978 by Fire Chief Jerry Rhea with his own money. It was in use till the late 90’s. The departments first “real” fire truck was a 1967 Kieser Jeep that had a 300-gallon water tank and hose reel. It was purchased with a grant from the Texas Forest Service in 1979. It was sold in 2019. It was followed by a loan of a military style “deuce and a half” truck that was lent to us by the Marfa sector Border Patrol. We had to convert the deuce into a firefighting vehicle and purchase all the equipment needed.  It was finally returned in 2015.  In the early 80’s the land for our present fire station was leased from the Property Owners Association for the sum on 1 dollar a year. Funds for the building cost were raised in the community. The POA owns the land, the fire department owns the building. In the mid 80’s a community member donated a 70’s model ¾ Chevy truck with tank, hose reel and pump. It was sold in the late 90’s.

It was not until the Rock House Fire in 2011 that Jerry Rhea purchased a 2010 Freightliner with a grant from the Texas Forest Service.  It was a beautiful engine but completely not suited to our environment. It was too long and could not be driven most places in the DMR except the main road.  It was sold in 2023. At this time, we also increased the size of the fire station by adding 16 x 40-foot bay to house the new Freightliner. Our total footprint is 40 x 82 feet. We have a 5-bay door building but it is not pull though. Our lease renews in 2036.  In 2013 and 2014 we received two 5-ton military style trucks from the Texas Forest service. They were ours with two conditions; one that they were to have all military paint and insignia removed within a year and that we were responsible for purchasing the equipment to convert them into fire fighting vehicles. We still have one in our fleet today B 74 and one we sold in 2023 to one of our firemen.  In 2013 we purchased a used water tender from the city of Las Vegas. It holds 3000 gallons of water and is equipped with forward water spraying nozzles. We sold that to the Property Owners association road department in 2021 to make room for our new Brush truck. Included in the bill of sale was a provision; should we ever need to use the truck in case of a fire emergency, the road department would allow us to use it along with a driver from their department or one of our firemen.

2021 saw us acquire our first type 6 brush truck, B71. We purchased a 2020 Ram 3500 4×4, equipped with a slide-in with water and foam capability, hose reel, pump and a 250-gallon water tank. along with additional space for equipment and firefighting platform.

2023 saw the addition of two new trucks to our department.  In January we bought a 2022 Ram 2500 4×4 dually 4 door rescue truck, B72. It is also equipped with a slide-in with water and foam capability, hose reel, pump and 250-gallon water tank. It has extensive storage cabinetry suitable for EMS equipment along with firefighting gear. In July we bought a 2023 Ram 5500 4×4 dually equipped with a 400-gallon water tank. It too has the slide-in with water and foam capability and a firefighting platform, B73.

We have two Polaris UTVs to get around the DMR quickly and a 750-gallon portable water tank on a trailer that we are working at getting road worthy again.  This “buffalo” water trailer is made to be towed behind the 5-ton trucks.

From 2013 – 2024 we have had 7 fire chiefs. Our fire chiefs are elected for one year. I have been in office from June 2021. Our elections for Chief, assistant chief and board of directors are held the last Saturday in June. I have been secretary of the Board of Directors beginning in 2013 through now 2024.

The DMRVFD is unique in our area in that we have an active support team. These are a group of volunteers that are an official part of our department. The earn the privilege of voting for the Board of directors if they participate in 25% of all of our events. They do join the firemen in some in house fire training. They are there to free up our firemen from having to do the small tasked needed in an emergency. Help man the station, direct traffic, field requests for information from the public, prepare meals, whatever is needed. 

This, in a nutshell, is the history of our department and the DMR.

Edna Queen – Chief DMPOAVFD