Concerns Over Fatal Fire, Pumper Crash Leads Commissioners Closing Quinlan, TX, Fire Department

The response by Quinlan firefighters to a deadly house fire last year was questioned and a pumper was totaled after an untrained driver was behind the wheel.

Jan. 10, 2026

3 min read

Kent Miller
The Herald Banner, Greenville, Texas
(TNS)

QUINLAN – The Quinlan Volunteer Fire Department announced Friday that it is closing after more than 60 years of service, following a recent decision by Hunt County commissioners to cancel the department’s contract for fire protection in parts of south Hunt County.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the department said it would be “closing its bay doors for the last time,” marking the end of an era for the volunteer agency that has served the Quinlan area for decades. The post described the decision as abrupt but said members remain committed to public safety.

“As of today, the personnel of the Quinlan Volunteer Fire Department will be transitioning to new roles as members of the Union Valley Fire Department,” the department wrote, thanking the neighboring department for offering its members a place to continue serving.

The announcement comes days after the Hunt County Commissioners Court voted, 3-2, to discontinue its contract with the Quinlan Volunteer Fire Department. That contract covered fire response in unincorporated areas outside the city limits of Quinlan. Fire protection inside the city was already being provided separately by the South Hunt County Fire Department and was not affected by the county’s action.

County officials cited multiple concerns leading up to Monday’s contact vote, including a March 2025 house fire on North Shore Road near Quinlan that claimed three lives. Family members of two of the victims – Brent Bedwell and Johnny Bedwell – asked commissioners to investigate the department’s response, saying the men could have been saved.

Commissioners also pointed to a 2025 crash involving a Quinlan Volunteer Fire Department fire truck driven by a department member without the proper training and credentials.

Under the commissioners court’s decision, fire protection services for the affected unincorporated areas was to continue under the existing arrangement during a 90-day transition period while commissioners determined a long-term solution for residents.

In its statement, the Quinlan department emphasized unity and continuity of service, expressing gratitude to the Union Valley Volunteer Fire Department for welcoming its members. The post described the move as a way for firefighters to continue protecting the community, albeit under a different banner.

“For over sixty years, it has been the greatest honor of our lives to answer your calls, protect your homes and serve as your neighbors in uniform,” the department wrote.

The transition of personnel to Union Valley is expected to help maintain experienced staffing in the region as county officials work to reshape fire protection coverage in south Hunt County.