15 AUG 2005  

Dear Family and Friends;


  I would like to introduce myself; I am Matthew Eccles, the new Fire Chief of Cove Acres Fire Department.  I would also like to introduce the following individuals to you; Todd Taylor, Assistant Fire Chief; Deann Taylor, Secretary; and Mike Stoute, Mechanic.  The Fire Department has two new firefighters and we would like to welcome them, Richard Camarena and Phillip Giles.  We all would like to thank Dirl Burruss, Roger Slater, Mike Stoute, and Dave Herring for their continued support and assistance

  The members of the Cove Acres Fire Department are 100% volunteer and give more than 100% to protect those who live, work, and travel through our area.  We respond to over 30 alarms each year and are a non-profit organization.  Please remember us as we depend on the generous donations we receive.  Thank you to those who have supported us and a special thank you to those who continually support us.  We are always looking for new members to help in our firefighting, business, fundraising, or operations departments.  Monthly business meetings are usually held on the first Monday of each month at 7PM.  Feel free to stop in anytime.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors: when the siren sounds...your neighbors respond...now we need you to respond!

  At this time we have 9 active Firefighters, 2 active trucks and 2 inactive trucks. In the year 2004, Cove Acres responded to 30 calls! The needs of the Community have changed due to many new housing constructions and the number of recreational activities, we must be able to accommodate any and all fire calls or emergencies that we are dispatched for.  In order to do this, donations must come from the area residents and businesses we serve, to meet the needs of the community.  Cove Acres does not receive income in the same way like the cities of Elgin, Fletcher, Cache, or even Lawton.  These cities pay for fire service either out of water bills, or property and sales tax.  We rely solely on donations and contributions from people like you. The State of Oklahoma contributes $2,300 every year to Cove Acres Fire Department, which is earmarked specifically for maintenance of our vehicles, and does not cover the cost of the utilities and day-to-day operations.

  Currently our operating funds are severely low, and we are asking for community support. Our goal is to raise $6,000 per year from the community.  We can easily raise this amount if everyone could send $25 to your Fire Department. This money would be used for utilities, fuel for the trucks and general record keeping.  Our Fire Fighters do not get paid in any way to respond to calls, we are purely volunteer.  The Fire Department may be eligible for State and Federal Grants from time to time, but these grants are generally for purchasing new equipment.  In 2005 Cove Acres VFD received a grant from the State of Oklahoma to purchase new uniforms, ladders, and other equipment. 

  As some of you already may know, if Cove Acres VFD were to close it’s doors, the community would rely on Elgin’s and Fletcher’s Fire Departments and this would cause the response times to almost double and your insurance rates to go up as much as 15% due to the distance from the Fire Department, right now Cove Acres saves every home an average of $250.00 a year on homeowner’s insurance.  Our needs are your needs. Without your support and help, our job will be impossible to complete.  Please help your fire department as much as possible.

   I would also like for you and your families to fill out and return the provided “File for Life Sheet”.  This sheet will be used to help us aid you in times of emergencies, such as tornados, or power outages.  We would like to know if your home has a storm shelter or basement so that if an emergency occurs, we know where to search.  We want to be able to serve you the best we can, and with that as our goal, we need your support with this information. We want to thank everyone who gives a donation over $50, by hand delivering an “I Support Cove Acres VFD” T-Shirt.  For those that send a donation over $100.00 we will hand deliver an 8oz “I Support Cove Acres VFD” Coffee Mug, and a T-Shirt.  Please let us know what size shirt you would like.