21/07/2025
Final Deployment Update – Day 18
July 21, 2025
Today marks the official conclusion of West Odessa VFD’s deployment to Ingram, Texas. For 16 of the past 18 days, our team has had boots on the ground — first in the field, and later as part of the Incident Command Center — doing everything we could to support the flood response efforts in this incredible community.
This has been a long deployment. It has taken a toll on our team emotionally, mentally, and physically. But through it all, our six-member deployment team has remained strong, committed, and proud to serve.
We want to extend our deepest thanks to our members, our community, and to the Ector County Commissioners Court and County Judge Dustin Fawcett for your unwavering support throughout this mission.
From the very beginning — armed only with hand tools and water bottles — we began searching for survivors and victims in the flood zone. In the days that followed, some of our team transitioned into leadership roles within the Incident Command structure, helping coordinate the broader response. Today, we help demobilize that command center, closing out this chapter of one of the largest disasters our state has faced in recent memory.
This deployment has been more than just service — it’s been an invaluable experience for our department and for each of us personally. We’ve learned. We’ve grown. And we’ve built bonds with agencies and individuals that we now consider lifelong friends — people we know we can call on should West Odessa or Ector County ever face a crisis of this magnitude.
To the Ingram Fire Department and their community:
From the moment we walked through your doors, you welcomed us as your own. Your strength, resilience, and determination are unmatched. We are proud to have stood beside you and look forward to working and training with you in the future.
From the bottom of our hearts — thank you.
