Meet your Carlton Firefighters!

In our "Meet the Firefighters" series, our next installment features one of our leaders, our Chief. Running a small volunteer fire department requires wearing many hats. From meetings to maintenance to putting out blazes, he manages to always apply the best version of himself and show up with a smile on his face. He's our leader, our confidante, and the one we can turn to in times of trouble.

For our next installment, let us introduce Chief Drew Barr.

The youngest Chief in Carlton VFD's history, Chief Drew Barr joined the department as a junior firefighter in 2018, while he was still balancing high school. He graduated during the quarantine of 2020, and assumed the role of Chief a year later, at only twenty years old. He has remained Chief (with only one year of stepping down into Asst. Chief status to allow others to lead) since that time. He has led the department through many transitions, as we have lost several board members and previous firefighters, as we have greeted new members into the service, as we have commissioned new trucks and equipment, and as we have instituted stronger training and greater education for current members.

As we always do in these posts, we have asked Chief Drew to answer a series of questions about the fire service industry and his role within it.

What initially inspired you to become a firefighter?

A long time ago, on my way home from school, I happened to drive up on an active wreck. Coincidentally, the firefighters on scene were my family, friends, and neighbors, and they asked me to lend them a hand, gathering needed resources. As I was working alongside these volunteers, I quickly realized that this was fate and saw my chance to help people in a way I never could before. I've been actively involved with the fire service ever since.

What are the most challenging parts of being a firefighter, in your opinion?

Mentally, I would say burnout - whether that's from trauma exposure or years of wear and tear. Physically, I would say stamina. Being a firefighter requires you to be able to perform at 100% for extended amounts of time - hours, days, or weeks. You have to be able to have the mental and physical fortitude to endure whatever the scene may be, for as long as you need to be there.

How crucial is teamwork in the fire industry?

Teamwork is probably the most important part of a fire department at its core. In all training operations, there is a standard rule of "two in, two out." That rule literally means that in every base operation, there will be at least a team of two actively working together. This comes all the way back to leadership, even. I strongly believe just because you're an "officer" does not mean that you're any better than the rest of the team. Get your boots on the ground, shoulder the hose, and lead by example as a unit.

What do you hope to achieve during your time as a firefighter?

During my time as a firefighter, my only hope is to do the best that I can with every call we have. There is no such thing as perfection because "perfection" is subjective. Giving everything that I have to hopefully help someone else, even for a moment, is the only thing I could want. Also, I really hope I make the smokejumper team and get to jump out of airplanes onto burning mountains because that sounds really damn cool.

Chief Drew Barr has been a dedicated member of Carlton Volunteer Fire Department since becoming a junior firefighter. He attended fire academy at Weatherford College during the pandemic years of 2020-2021 and completed certifications in all structural firefighter requirements, as well as wildland fire. He is currently working on his EMT-B certificate along with other members of CVFD, so that the department can add another level of service to our area.

Drew shows up to over 90% of all Carlton fire-related events, whether that's traveling across the state for massive fires or flooding, serving locally to those in need, or meeting with the board of directors or other county Chiefs. He does this while maintaining a full-time job and still finds time to serve others when called upon.

Drew plans to continue a career in the fire service industry, joining a crew in Montana for the heaviest portion of wildland fire season. He will return to his home department as much as possible and lend a hand in whatever capacity he is needed, whether that's entering a burning building or cleaning a bathroom. Drew has servant-leadership down to an art and firmly believes that there is no job too humbling when it comes to aiding your community.

We love to end these firefighter spotlights with a few quotes from other members of the department, expressing their appreciation. While we could've chosen anyone who has had interactions with CVFD, we chose the following few:

Brandon Gomez, Hamilton VFD Captain

Drew is always there when I need him, whether it's mutual aid at 2 AM or 2 PM; he's always willing to lend a hand. When radios went down during a freak weather incident, Drew answered on the first two rings and asked, "How can we help?" He immediately sprang into action.

Matt Hohon, Granbury VFD Chief

Leading a fire department is never easy. Leading one as a young man, stepping into the Chief's role while many of your peers are still finding their footing in their careers, is a different challenge altogether. For Chief Drew Barr of the Carlton VFD, it's a challenge he met head-on and one that has already reshaped the department for the better. When Chief Barr took the helm, he didn't ease into the role. He came in with a clear sense of purpose and a clear set of goals. He knew that a department is only as strong as its training, and he made that his priority. Under his leadership, Carlton VFD built out a structured training program, one designed not just to check boxes, but to genuinely prepare every member of the department for the calls they'd face on the ground. The results came quickly. Member response to calls increased, and response times dropped. These aren't small symbolic improvements; they're the kind of numbers that translate directly into safer outcomes for the people Carlton VFD serves.

Roy Jones, Carlton VFD Captain (and longest-standing member)

I have been glad to see such young talent come through the fire department to make it successful, and Drew is one of them to go beyond average. With the history of the department, he has made changes to make it thrive, and more importantly, he has probably saved the fire department. Drew's want and heart to be in firefighting and emergency services is a great asset and will always be appreciated. Keep God in your heart, head on a swivel, and open minded of others, and you'll keep being successful.

Houston Smith, Carlton and Divide VFDs Firefighter (and newest recruit)

Drew is one of the hardest-working people I know and is always ready to help when it's needed, no matter the time or place.

Ally Allen, Carlton VFD Senior Advisor

Chief Drew has placed the entirety of his heart and soul into this department. From coming on as a junior and having to run around in full pack and gear just as a tryout to making the department the solid entity it is today, he and this department have grown together. He has become a brother to every member of this crew; he is solidly dependable for this community, and his heart reaches to all the corners of the globe. To say that I am proud of who he has become is the understatement of the century.

Hudson Skaggs, Carlton VFD Firefighter

Drew puts in a lot of time, effort, and dedication. He wants the best for everyone else, and he truly works his tail off. I get to see behind the scenes because I work with him at his full-time job, and he's constantly moving to progress the fire department. My favorite thing about Drew is that he's always willing to listen to suggestions from lower-ranked personnel. He considers us all equals in heart.

To end this spotlight, with so many more wonderful things that could be said, we'd like to end it with Drew's own words. When asked one piece of advice he would give to someone considering becoming a firefighter, he answered, "Make sure you know what you are getting into. If you're doing it for the right reasons, make sure you're aware of the things that you'll be exposed to mentally and physically. It's not easy, it's not just "for fun," and there is no glory behind it. If you can make all of that happen though, it will be the most rewarding thing you've ever done and will probably change your entire life moving forward."