On April 22, 2026, a community meeting was held to raise awareness about grant funding opportunities available to first responders across the Texas Panhandle, with a particular focus on Hutchinson County. The event was a collaborative effort between the Crutch Ranch Volunteer Fire Department and The 100 Club of Amarillo, bringing together local responders, community members, and stakeholders committed to strengthening emergency services in the region.

The meeting centered around an informative slideshow presentation delivered by The 100 Club of Amarillo. Attendees were introduced to a range of grant funding opportunities designed to support first responders with critical resources, including equipment, training, and operational needs. The presentation also outlined eligibility requirements, application processes, and key strategies for successfully securing funding.

Participants had the opportunity to engage with presenters, ask questions, and discuss specific needs within their departments. The collaborative setting encouraged knowledge sharing and emphasized the importance of leveraging available resources to enhance public safety services throughout the region.

This event reflects an ongoing commitment by local organizations to ensure that first responders—especially those in rural and underserved areas—have access to the funding and support necessary to serve their communities effectively.

For more information about future meetings or grant opportunities, community members are encouraged to stay connected with local fire departments and supporting organizations.

On Sunday, March 1, 2026, several members of Crutch Ranch VFD delivered 34 bales of hay donated by the Meyers Family of Skellytown to ranchers in Beaver Texas affected by the recent wildfires. They also coordinated several other trucks to haul hay — a total of 120 bales will be donated.

In times of disaster, this is what community looks like. Neighbors helping neighbors, across county and state lines.

Last week, our department assisted the Borger Fire Department with a prescribed burn known as the Seven Mile Burn. The goal of this operation was to create a protective barrier between potential wildfires and the citizens of Borger, extending through parts of Hutchinson County to Milner Road.

As I reflected on the purpose of this burn, I realized it served more than just one purpose. Prescribed fire—because it’s controlled—provides a powerful learning opportunity. It allows experienced firefighters to demonstrate and explain fire behavior, the influence of weather conditions, the impact of terrain, and the importance of firing patterns to newer firefighters in a safe, structured environment.

It also reminded me how valuable mentorship is in our profession. As veteran firefighters, we have the chance to share our knowledge and wisdom (much of it earned through hard lessons) to guide and prepare the next generation of firefighters.

Finally, this experience highlighted the strong sense of collaboration among area departments. Events like these bring us together; to learn, to work, and to build relationships. That mutual trust and familiarity make all the difference when we respond to large wildfires side by side.

I would like to extend my gratitude to all the agencies that contributed to the success of this burn: Borger Fire (host), Crutch Ranch Volunteer Fire Department, Stinnett Fire, Hutchinson County Road and Bridge, the National Park Service, Skellytown Volunteer Fire Department, Potter County Fire, Amarillo Fire, Randall County Fire, and Canyon Fire.

Chief Mark Mitchell