Primera gets ready to launch volunteer fire department

PRIMERA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The small town of Primera will soon have its own fire department. Located just west of Harlingen, it has always had to rely on others for help when a fire breaks out.

Volunteer Fire Chief Desiderio Tristan, a 21-year veteran of the Brownsville Fire Department, will lead the department.

Tristan is a Primera resident who introduced the proposal of a volunteer fire department during a community forum for the building of the new city hall facility.

The fire department already has a list of 20 volunteers. Tristan said more than half of his volunteers are certified firefighters who work for nearby departments.

The rest of the volunteers are civilians who are being trained to fight fires safely and efficiently.

"I was a truck driver before and I want to carry that on too and help drive the [fire] truck," Luciano Diaz, a Primera Fire Department volunteer said. "I've always wanted to be a firefighter and this way I get a lot of experience from professionals."

Primera currently has a fire protection contract with the Harlingen Fire Department. Harlingen firefighters and EMS respond to calls in Primera under this contract.

Tristan said their goal is to take over the contract by Oct. 1, 2025.

"That gives us time to continue to order the remaining gear we need and to train our volunteers," Tristan said.