Community Outreach

Show and Tells, Station Tours: Nonprofit organizations and schools contact the IFD to have equipment come out to their events or sometimes want to come visit the fire stations to find out what firemen do. Irving fire apparatus and personnel performed 173 show and tells and station tours to 20,833 children/adults.

Don’t Forget the Baby: During the summer months, when Texas temperatures rise and get in the 100s, the IFD offers free window static clings to help residents remember not to leave a child or pet unattended in a vehicle. Since the launch of this program in 2010, more than 5,000 static clings have been distributed at Irving city events.

Vial of L.I.F.E.: The Vial of L.I.F.E. — Lifesaving Information For Emergencies — is a program created for Irving residents ages 60 and older as a public service from the IFD to store important medical information for emergency medical personnel during a time of crisis. More than 1,500 Irving residents participate in this program.

Leadership Irving: Every year leaders of the business community come to the Fire Training Academy to learn more about what Irving firefighters do. They are taken through a four-hour hands-on crash course on fire fighting led by Irving Fire Training Officers.

Smoke Alarm Installation with Red Cross: The IFD along with the Red Cross provided and installed smoke alarms in homes older than 1986 in Irving. The Fire Department identified neighborhoods in need of smoke alarms and installed 61 smoke alarms, provided by Red Cross. This collaboration addresses the need for residential smoke alarms in Irving and helps reduce fire risks.

Dallas 911 Memorial Stair Climb: On Saturday, Sept. 8, 15 IFD members climbed 110 floors in full protective gear at the Renaissance Tower in Dallas. These members climbed in honor of the 343 fallen brothers and sisters who died in the line-of-duty at the World Trade Center Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001.

Wreaths Across America: Every December the nation celebrates National Wreaths Across America Day to recognize all those who sacrificed their lives in the line-of-duty. The IFD, Irving Police Department, family and friends gathered at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens to place wreaths on the graves of our fallen to commemorate their sacrifice and service. Special remembrance and prayer were given to our two IFD members who have died in the line-of-duty, Firefighter James Pressnall (1984) and Driver Wendell McCluer (1989).

Awards Banquet

William K. Johnston Jr.

Held Saturday, February 9, 2019, at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas. Every year personnel nominate their peers to be recognized at the Annual Irving Fire Department Awards Banquet for exhibiting a consistent outstanding level of overall performance along with other actions that serve to improve the fire service and the community. The following awards were presented at the 2019 Ceremony:

IFD 2017 and 2018 Award Winners 2017 “Shaky” Holder Lifetime Achievement Award – Cpt. William K. Johnston Jr. for his outstanding training program and ability to produce leaders.

2017 Officer of the Year – Cpt. Jon W. Williams for his exceptional work ethic and passion for the fire service.

2017 Fire Prevention Specialist of the Year – FP Lt. Lorenzo M. Chavez for his dedication to the investigation of fires.

2017 Paramedic of the Year – Retired FEO Delbert D. Curbo for his outstanding leadership, expertise and experience on the ambulance.

2017 Dispatcher of the Year – FF David B. Hindman for his outstanding knowledge and skill in every function and position in the Alarm Office.

2017 Firefighter of the Year – FF Robert L. Wesson for his leadership skills, dedication to self-improvement and consistently mentoring new recruits.

2018 “Shaky” Holder Lifetime Achievement Award – FEO Alvin R. O’Dell for being a courageous leader, paramedic and driver.

2018 Officer of the Year – Cpt. Charles W. Williams for his great communication skills and his exceptional training skills.

2018 Paramedic of the Year – FEO Charles R. Yancey for his knowledge of paramedicine, excellent patient care and pursuit of training.

2018 Dispatcher of the Year – FEO Max G. Cunningham for his intelligence, leadership, tact, vision, honesty, integrity and character.

Awards Banquet

David B. Hindman

Charles W. Williams Lorenzo M. Chavez

Delbert D. Curbo

Awards Banquet

Event Organizer Anna Glenn

Charles R. Yancey

Robert L. Wesson

Max G. Cunningham