Working for a common cause
Community safety is top priority for cross-trained personnel
By LISA CARNLEY Staff Writer

PHOTO BY GABE WOLF Cross-trained Lampasas fire and police department personnel include, clockwise from left, Fire Marshal Reece Oestreich; Patrol Sgt. Tony Barrio; Patrol Officer Jeff Dunlap; Station Chief Ronnie Withers; Deputy Chief Joe Adams; training officer Chris Ford; Patrol Officer Todd Marker; and Fire Chief Terry Lindsey. Not pictured: Patrol Officer Dean Werlinger.

When emergencies arise, Lampasas residents appreciate that they can rely on the police and fire departments to handle their respective responsibilities.

Residents now can rest assured that not only are firefighters handling blazes, but some are doing law enforcement duty. And police officers are not only battling crime, but a handful are fighting fires as well.

That is because of a unique cooperative approach to citizen care between Lampasas Police Chief Tim Angermann's department and Fire Chief Terry Lindsey's department.

Working for a common cause, the agencies have joined forces to provide additional coverage small communities need but don't have funding for in their budgets.

"It's a win-win situation for both departments and for the city as a whole," said Angermann.

With no increase in pay, personnel in both agencies can offer backup in times of emergency. That was demonstrated in several recent cases when Police Patrol Sgt. Tony Barrio assisted fire personnel at a major structure fire, and Firefighter Ronnie Withers offered support when burglar alarms sounded simultaneously at two local businesses.

Firefighters and police officers undergo the same level of training as their counterparts and serve in a reserve capacity until they are called to assist. Both have assisted the Police Department at large events with crowd control, such as during the annual Spring Ho Festival and at home football games.

Even though they give an assist when needed, firefighters/police officers are never "on duty" at the opposite agencies for which they work full-time.

"But if there is a major fire and our Police Department can help, I will send them," said the police chief.

Lindsey agreed that he also is willing to send his personnel if needed during a major incident.

Firefighters have the same authority to arrest as do police, and police officers are capable of responding to and helping control a fire.

Both must pass state tests and complete continuing education hours each year.

Fire personnel must successfully complete police academy training, and police must graduate from firefighter training.

"Our police and firefighters are doing this on their own," Angermann said.

"They are stepping up to the plate in their off-time because they know how important it is to their community."

Police officers who are qualified firefighters include Barrio and Patrol Officers Jeff Dunlap, Todd Marker and Dean Werlinger, who also is a paramedic and retired Killeen firefighter with more than 25 years of experience.

Firefighters who have attended the police academy include Lindsey, City Fire Marshal Reece Oestreich, Deputy Chief Joe Adams, training officer Chris Ford and Withers, station chief.

Lindsey and Oestreich also are certified arson investigators, and it is a requirement that they be certified peace officers to serve in that capacity.

Withers, Adams and Ford are attending arson investigation school.

The cost for police officers to attend fire training is paid for by grants. No city funds are expended, said Angermann.

The expense for firefighters to attend the police academy is negligible when compared to the cost savings to the city, said Lindsey.

"This program probably saves the city from paying two extra men per day," said the fire chief.

This type of cross-training is unique for fire and police departments, Angermann said. "I only know of one city where the police and fire department personnel interchange their jobs.

"Here, sometimes we have to rob Peter to pay Paul. If we have a major fire, it could hurt us to have to take officers off the street to help, especially if something else comes up at the same time.

"You never know when that could happen, but we are willing to do what we can to help," said the police chief.

Lindsey said it could help in the future to have fire and police department personnel crosstrained.

"We could have a fire substation opening in the next five to six years on the west side of town," he said, noting that plans call for an additional station to be located at the proposed sports complex off FM 580 West.

Lindsey said as many as six full-time personnel could be needed to staff the station.

"That's the way the town's growing," said Angermann. "We just keep getting bigger, and when you get bigger, you need more personnel."

Having a good working relationship between the departments and a supportive city manager and council helps bolster the program, the police chief said.

"We get good support all around. It is better for everyone. The more people you have who can handle emergencies, the better off a community is. We want to be able to continue to provide the best service we can to our citizens," said Angermann. "And this is a good way to do that.

"This arrangement has already proven itself. It can and does work."