FORT WORTH, Texas — When the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo opens every year, it is a city in itself, complete with its own team of firefighters ready to keep it safe in a distinctly Western way.
Fort Worth Fire Station 80 is a fully-equipped fire house, but it is operational just three weeks a year during the Stock Show and Rodeo. It is built into the Will Rogers Memorial Center, ready to respond to any call across the 120-acre facility.
"It's the only rodeo that has a fire station 24/7 in the U.S.," Fort Worth Fire Department Lt. Brad Fowler said. "We have basically a small city walking around here."
Most visitors to the Stock Show and Rodeo probably don't even realize the station is there, and they may not recognize the firefighters. They are dressed in crisp denim uniforms and their own cowboy hats and boots.
"We have to have 'em starched beautifully," Fowler said.
"I love it," engineer Nick Hunka said. "Get to wear your cowboy hat, wear your boots like most people want to do."
The firefighters who staff Station 80 work at other stations during the rest of the year, and they apply for the special shift every year. They say it is competitive and a highly sought-after post with only 12 firefighters chosen to do 24-hour shifts.
"Just love everything about it," said Fowler, who has worked at Station 80 off and on for the past 15 years.
Station 80 is small but it has its own fire engine, and it also has bunks and a kitchen for the firefighters.
In addition to their unique uniforms, they also have a fleet of motorized carts to help them navigate through the Will Rogers Memorial Center and they can get anywhere on property almost instantly.
While they have responded to small fires, most often they help with medical calls. It seems that close proximity to animals can give people some problems.
"Breathing difficulties, asthma, allergic reactions," Fowler said.
They blend in and look the part, but the firefighters are always at the ready.