Bringing Fire and Rescue to the Water: A Boat With Potential
Help Fund Marine 21 for Eagle Mountain Lake
On a warm summer afternoon, Eagle Mountain Lake is a haven for our tight knit community. The water sparkles, boats glide, and families enjoy the freedom of life near the lake. At first glance, the lake is calm. Still. Peaceful. It’s a picture of serenity — exactly what a lake community should be.
But when disaster strikes — when a fire erupts on a lakeside home, a boat accident leaves someone injured, or a swimmer disappears beneath the waves — those moments of peace turn into a race against time.
Beneath that postcard-perfect surface is a reality most people never see — the urgent need for water safety, emergency response, and reliable rescue operations. And that’s where Marine 21 comes in. Or rather, where it could — with your help.
A Life-Saving Vision, Decades in the Making
Fire Chief Mike Barton of Eagle Mountain Fire and EMS has dedicated his life to protecting this community. A volunteer since 1972 and fire chief since 1996, Chief Barton has long envisioned bringing reliable, responsive fire and rescue operations directly onto the lake.
In the late 1980s, his father, who served as both Fire Chief and Lake Police Chief from 1956 to 1996, oversaw a fire boat on Eagle Mountain Lake. Unfortunately, that boat was destroyed in a mechanical accident. Since then, despite the growing lake population and increased waterfront development, no firefighting boat has been in regular operation.
That’s changing, thanks to heart, hustle, and now, with your help—hope.
A Boat With Potential… But in Desperate Need
The Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) recently donated a 30-year-old patrol boat to Eagle Mountain Fire Department. The team put in the work, cleaned it up, outfitted it, and gave it purpose. But unfortunately, the motor failed after the first repairs. While the shell of the boat is ready, the most critical part — a reliable motor — has proven to be a costly challenge.
Scott Womack of Lakeview Marina stepped in and generously ordered a new motor. The price tag? $30,000. Now, a fundraising campaign is underway, including a summer fundraiser hosted at Sparky’s Fireworks to help cover the cost.But we can’t do this without you.
Why Marine 21 Is Critical
There are no firefighting boats on Eagle Mountain Lake today. While TRWD patrol boats assist in law enforcement, there is no boat equipped to fight fires or respond to medical emergencies.
The Marine 21 fireboat will:
• Respond to lakefront home fires — especially where no hydrant access exists.
• Deliver emergency medical aid and transport accident victims from the water to ambulance.
• Fight marina fires and boat-related incidents.
• Supply water for wildfires or hard-to-reach homes with limited driveway access.
• Deploy in under 15 minutes for fast, life-saving action.
Time and access are everything in emergency response. This boat can mean the difference between containment and catastrophe. Eagle Mountain Fire Department, while small, is often assisted by neighboring towns — Saginaw, Lake Worth, Haslet — but many emergencies unfold too quickly to wait for outside help.
When every second counts, having a fireboat on the lake allows for immediate action, whether it’s rescuing someone in distress, controlling a marina fire, or transporting a patient to shore. Marine 21 would give our local crews the speed, access, and equipment they need to protect lives and property — right when it matters most.
Be Part of the Solution
This is more than a boat. It’s about saving lives, protecting property, and ensuring public safety for thousands who live, visit, and recreate around Eagle Mountain Lake.
We need your help to finish what we’ve started. Your donation will go directly to cover the $30,000 cost of the motor and help maintain the boat long-term.
Chief Barton calls this his passion project — a mission decades in the making. With your help, we can make the vision of a fully operational, reliable marine rescue unit a reality.
How to Give
Make a secure donation or learn more at EagleMountainFire.org or scan the QR code below.
Support Fundraising efforts in person at Sparky’s Fireworks, Lakeview Marina, Fort Worth
Drop off donations at Eagle Mountain Fire & EMS
9500 Live Oak Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76179
Every dollar brings Marine 21 closer to the water — and closer to being ready when the next call comes in. Let’s make sure the Eagle Mountain Fire Department has the tools they need to protect us. Let’s launch Marine 21 together.
