Firefighters storm old H-E-B building

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Demolition of the old Marble Falls H-E-B Store began Wednesday, March 14, but before it went under the wrecking ball, the landmark store since 1966 provided one more service to its community.

It was stormed Monday by 34 local firefighters in practice drills seldom available anywhere.

“I have been in this business 32 years and have never had an opportunity like this,” said Marble Falls Fire Rescue Chief Russell Sander. “It is not just every day firemen can see a sprinkler system activated in a building over 75,000 square feet, perform forcible entry into locked or damaged roll-up doors or breach cinder block walls on an actual building.”

Firefighters practiced aerial ladder operations at commercial buildings and how to get in and out of a lift bucket on a roof surrounded by parapet walls. Inside the dark, abandoned store they were able to rehearse the search for victims in a massive space or search and rescue among offices in commercial buildings.

Participants came from the fire rescue departments of the cities of Marble Falls and Granite Shoals, the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department and the City of Horseshoe Bay Fire Department. In addition, seven Marble Falls Area EMS personnel attended portions of the training.

“It provided different departments the opportunity to work together,” said Sander. “The training groups formed had members from each department and they were able to practice their skills together. “Instructors were members of the departments involved.”