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The two newest members of Orange County Emergency Services District 1 are ready to protect the public.

ESD-1 Fire Chief Robert Smith announced the hiring of two additional full-time firefighter/EMT positions via press release, July 17. The two new hires, Derek Coveney and Zack Slaydon, have been officially sworn in.

“This once again marks a new point in the history of our department,” Smith said in the release. “We would like to congratulate our newest employees Dereck Coveney and Zack Slaydon.”

The additional staff means Vidor and the surrounding community is protected by at least three full-time firefighters 24 hours a day, with support drawn from the volunteer force and part-time fire protection personnel as needed.

The two full-time positions were created in the approved fiscal budget for 2023-2024. 

ESD-1 was also able to create another full-time position in which a firefighter works a 7 a.m.-5 p.m. “day shift” Monday through Friday. This will supplement other staff who operate on the usual schedule of 48 hours on, 96 hours off.