Lancaster Firefighters Association Local 3164

08/08/2026

Recently, the Lancaster Firefighters Association Local 3164 sponsored several of our members to attend the “Makin’ the Push for Nathaniel” Hands-On Training Event in Midlothian.

With many training opportunities moving toward an online format, our association believes it is important to continue supporting opportunities for our members to receive valuable hands-on training. Online education is a useful tool, but there is no replacement for getting on the training ground, working with the tools, and learning alongside experienced firefighters and instructors.

Online training has its place, but there is no substitute for getting on the training ground, putting tools in firefighters’ hands, and developing skills through realistic, hands-on repetitions. Our members want to train, improve their craft, and bring those skills back to their crews and the citizens they serve.

We would also like to thank the Midlothian Firefighter Association and Buffalo Creek FOOLS for putting together an outstanding training event with experienced instructors from across the fire service.

Even better, this event was held in support of Nathaniel, an 18-year-old battling cancer with a dream of becoming a firefighter, with registration proceeds helping support Nathaniel and his family. We were proud to support both a great cause and quality firefighter training.

LFFA Local 3164 will continue investing in our members, their training, and their professional development.

08/04/2026

The Lancaster Firefighters Association Local 3164 extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and members of Dallas Fire Rescue on the passing of Driver/Engineer Ted Carpenter.

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted by this tremendous loss. May his dedication, service, and legacy never be forgotten.

Today, we are mourning the untimely loss of one of our own. Driver/Engineer, Ted Carpenter, passed away this morning, on his 48th birthday, after serving Dallas Fire Rescue and the City of Dallas since May 2002. 

Ted touched countless lives with his faith, resilience, and optimism, and his passing is a tragic loss for both his entire family....biological and departmental. Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers during this challenging time. RIP Brother......

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08/01/2026

THE COMMUNITY DESERVES THE TRUTH

“Fully staffed,” but the actual numbers from July tell a completely different story.

In July alone:

• The truck was taken out of service due to manpower shortages on 23 days

• Squad 1 was reduced to Basic Life Support-level service

• 48 vacant staffing spots had to be covered with overtime

That is not full staffing.

When frontline apparatus is repeatedly shut down and the level of medical care is reduced, public safety is being compromised.

Using overtime to patch nearly 50 vacant positions does not mean the department is fully staffed.

It means the staffing shortage is being hidden behind forced coverage, exhausted personnel, and unavailable equipment.

The public should not be told everything is fine while emergency resources are being removed from service for most of the month.

Our community deserves honest answers, adequate staffing, reliable apparatus, and the highest level of emergency care available. Anything less is unacceptable.

07/15/2026

Today, Lancaster Fire Department responded alongside the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, Texas DPS and several law partner agencies to a tragic incident following a police pursuit in the area of Loop 9 and Ferris Road. The suspect reportedly jumped from the bridge while attempting to evade law enforcement.

Truck 351,Squad 351, Med 353 and Engine 352 immediately initiated specialized rope rescue operations, while Battalion 351 took command.

While crews were operating in rescue mode, resuscitation efforts by EMS personnels were discontinued. Operations then transitioned from a rescue mission to a recovery operation.

We are grateful that Truck 351 was adequately staffed and available to respond today after being out of service for the previous five days due to staffing shortages and a lack of available paramedics. Today’s incident is a reminder that specialized apparatus and properly staffed personnel can become critical without warning.

We extend our condolences to everyone affected by today’s tragic events and thank the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, CareFlite, DPS, and all responding agencies for their professionalism, coordination, and teamwork throughout the incident.

06/22/2026

Happy Father’s Day from the Lancaster Firefighters Association Local 3164

Today, we honor all fathers and father figures in our community. Your love, guidance, sacrifice, and dedication help shape the next generation and strengthen the families that make Lancaster such a special place to call home.

We are especially grateful for the fathers who serve our city while balancing the responsibilities of family life. Whether at home, at work, or in the community, your impact is felt every day.

From all of us at the Lancaster Firefighters Association, we wish you a wonderful Father’s Day filled with family, laughter, and appreciation.

06/19/2026

Lancaster residents,

As we have stated previously, the Lancaster Fire Department does not have a staffing problem, it has a retention and paramedic shortage problem.

The purpose of this post is not to create panic or controversy. Our goal is simply to keep taxpayers informed about the current status of emergency services within our city.

Today, Squad 1 has been downgraded from an Advanced Life Support (ALS) unit to a Basic Life Support (BLS) unit due to a shortage of available paramedics. Under normal circumstances, Squad 1 operates as an ALS response unit, providing a higher level of emergency medical care. When sufficient paramedics are available, Squad 1 will continue to operate as an ALS unit. However, when paramedic staffing falls below operational needs, the unit must be downgraded to BLS status.

Additionally, Truck 1 will not be in service today. Instead, personnel assigned to Truck 1 will be operating from Engine 1. The reason is the same: a shortage of trained personnel and paramedics necessary to staff and operate all fire apparatus.

These operational changes are not being shared to create fear or concern, but to provide transparency regarding the challenges currently facing the department. Our firefighters remain committed to serving the citizens of Lancaster with the highest level of professionalism possible. However, the ongoing retention and paramedic shortage issues continue to impact the department's ability to consistently provide the level of service our community expects and deserves.

We believe Lancaster residents deserve to be informed about how these staffing challenges affect emergency response capabilities and why addressing retention remains critical to the future of public safety in our city.

06/19/2026

Today, the Lancaster Firefighters Association recognizes and celebrates Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and honors the resilience, contributions, and achievements of African Americans throughout our nation’s history.

As firefighters and public servants, we are proud to serve a diverse community and remain committed to treating every citizen with dignity, respect, and compassion.

We encourage everyone to take a moment today to reflect on the significance of this day, celebrate freedom, and continue building a stronger community together.

Happy Juneteenth from the Lancaster Firefighters Association Local 3164.

06/14/2026

The Lancaster Firefighters Association would like to congratulate Battalion Chief Dallas Theobald on his retirement after 24 years of dedicated service to the Lancaster Fire Department and the citizens of Lancaster.

For more than two decades, Chief Theobald served this department with pride, professionalism, and a commitment to those around him. Throughout his career, he helped mentor firefighters, develop future leaders, and leave a lasting impact on the organization.

Yesterday, we were honored to celebrate his career and recognize his years of service alongside family, friends, current and former members, and community supporters.

As a token of our appreciation, the Lancaster Firefighters Association presented Chief Theobald with a custom retirement axe, while B-Shift, the shift he proudly served as Battalion Chief, presented him with a custom leather shield commemorating his years of service from 2002 to 2026.

While we are sad to see him leave Lancaster, we are excited for his next chapter as the new Fire Chief of ESD 6. We have no doubt that the same leadership, dedication, and passion he brought to Lancaster will continue to serve him well in his new role.

Congratulations, Chief Theobald. Thank you for your 24 years of service, leadership, and commitment to the fire service. We wish you and your family nothing but success and happiness in this next chapter.

Enjoy retirement, Chief. You’ve earned it.

06/12/2026

The Lancaster Firefighters Association would like to wish Driver/Paramedic Dillon Sibley-Maxwell the very best as he begins the next chapter of his career with a new department.

During his 4 years with the Lancaster Fire Department, Dillon served our community with dedication, professionalism, and a commitment to those around him. His contributions to the department and the citizens we serve have been greatly appreciated.

While he will be missed around the station, we are excited to see him continue to grow and succeed in his fire service career. We thank him for his service to Lancaster and wish him nothing but success, happiness, and safety in his future endeavors.

Good luck, Dillon.
Stay safe, and we’ll see you down the road.