One of the largest projects undertaken by the members of Southern Oaks Volunteer Fire Department just broke ground last week during a well-attended ceremony that included several area emergency responders.

The FM 416 Landing Zone is designed to make emergency medical flights both safe and efficient, especially during night runs.

The fire department averages 13 occasions per year that require a medical emergency airflight.

SOVFD Fire Chief, Van Wagnon, explained that instead of wasting valuable time bringing out the trucks and lights to assist in landing the helicopter, “We can simply flip a switch,” to bring up the lighted pad and sidewalk.

New Hope Baptist Church has donated land for the project, in the exact same spot currently utilized for medical air transports. It is located at 581 FM 416, east of Streetman, Texas.

The Landing Area will be a 40-foot by 40-foot concrete pad with green helicopter landing lights on each corner. The 85-foot long Sidewalk will be lined with white, downward-facing walk-lights and will be 6-foot wide. The concrete Patient Unloading Platform will be 10-foot by 12-foot.

The total project cost of the Project is $16,000 and about $11,500 had been raised prior to the June 10, 2021 Ground Breaking.

During the ceremony, Lakeside United Methodist Church presented a check in the amount of $3,160 toward the project.

Additionally, members of the Community Care Club donated at $5,000 check.

“It’s the public that makes this possible,” said Fire Chief Wagnon.

According to SOVFD Asst. Fire Chief, Tom Blake, Navarro County Electric Co-op has also given $3,000 as a Seed Money Grant.

First Responders attending were recognized, and Pastor Chris Marsh of New Hope Baptist Church offered a closing prayer before the event concluded with an old-fashioned “golden shovel of dirt” photo op.

Getting their hands dirty with a half dozen golden shovels are (left-right): Pastor Chris Marsh of New Hope Baptist Church, Southern Oaks VFD Asst. Fire Chief Tom Blake, Southern Oaks VFD Fire Chief Van Wagnon, Pct. 4 County Commissioner Clyde Ridge, Freestone County Judge Linda Grant, Board Chair Nancy Grosshans of Community Care Club, and Pastor Tolli Macalik of Lakeside United Methodist Church. The FM 416 Landing Zone will provide safe landing for medical air transportation in the Southside Richland Chambers area.

Donations are still needed to complete this project. For more information, contact Fire Chief Van Wagnon at 903-599-2824; Asst. Fire Chief

(Photos by Karen Leidy)