BUFFALO GAP, Texas — A Buffalo Gap volunteer firefighter was severely injured while containing a fire and is now left with no form of income.
Joseph Palmour worked at the Buffalo Gap Fire Department and volunteered at the BVFD for more than 20 years. In 2018, Palmour was checking an attic for hot spots at a structure fire when he fell and broke his neck.
Because of the injury, Palmour has been in and out of surgery over last few years and now has to undergo surgery on his disc. He will be out of work for at least four months.
According to Palmour, the City of Buffalo Gap paid for the first few surgeries early on and put him on paid leave. But Buffalo Gap Mayor, David L. Perry, recently sent a letter to his home saying there was no money in the city's budget to continue paying Palmour. Now money is tight and he and his family are scraping to get by.
“I got a letter saying that they were going to stop my pay and it just felt like my heart fell out of my body. I didn't know what to do. The first thing to flash to my mind is what gets turned off first. Electricity? I can't lose my car either,” Palmour said.
Joe will be out of work for at least four months. He and his wife, Kellie, have three grandchildren who live with them as well.
Joseph and Kellie have been active in the small town of Buffalo Gap for decades, serving on the VFD, helping the firefighters during the Mesquite Heat Fire and remodeling houses in the community.
Kellie said the community has been extremely supportive through this difficult time and has continued to donate what they can to help the family pay for household expenses.
Palmour said he fully understood what being a firefighter entailed and will always have a heart for helping people.
“There's a need for people that want to volunteer and help. There's a lot of people that do this. The thing about volunteers is there's a risk taking and you know that when you go to the academy. They tell you this happened to you, meaning you could get a bad injury. You have to want to do it,” Palmour said.
His next surgery will take place in early August. He hopes the surgery will go well, so he can help out around the Buffalo Gap VFD and fire department. Donation information can be found here.