110 Years Firefighters

EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

110 Years of Service

A Salute to the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department Past, Present & Future

Capturing El Campo VFD history vital Dead-dog tired is one of those fine upstanding Southern phrases I didn’t truly understand until a particularly rough couple of weeks many years ago, trying to keep up with El Campo’s firefighting volunteers.

Some ner-do-well was running around the city setting houses on fire, sometimes two a night. A horrific wreck was taking place every couple of days with a grass fire or two thrown in for variety.

Oh yeah, there was still that regular job with its demands and life that needed to be coped with somewhere in the middle.

By five, or maybe it was seven, days in, I’m not sure how many fires I’d seen, how many people had been hurt or died in wrecks and what else happened.

Coming home from work I sat in a kitchen chair and fell asleep right there.

Then next call rang out, and I sat there wondering if I’d somehow turned to stone.

I could barely move. I couldn’t help but wonder how in the world the fire guys managed to do it. After all, I was out there

Shannon Crabtree wielding a camera, notebook and pencil.

Those guys were pulling hose, hacking away with axes, and trying to move in soddened gear as they were slowly steam cleaned by the intense heat.

Now I work what everybody believes is a cushy office job, and some days it is. I’ve never gotten overtime, never received extra dollars for working way more than 40 hours each week, so many nights and early mornings jumping out of bed and running after a fire alarm. A whole lot of other folks in my profession don’t.

I’m not an El Campo Volunteer Fire Department member. Never have been and doubt they are interested in recruiting a pudgy gal with a good number of de-

cades behind her. Instead, I suppose I’m a believer of sorts.

I believe the public needs to know what these volunteers are doing on their behalf.

I believe there aren’t many men and women in this world who are willing to face the dangers – physical and psychological – and do it for free.

I believe that’s why this special section is an especially important one. These are special folks. Their history is one that especially needs to be captured as we fall deeper and deeper into the “What’s in it for me?” world lost in our assorted tablets, cellphones and virtual worlds.

It’s been my privilege to have been witnessing their actions and telling their stories for years.

Here’s a few more.

-------------------------------------– Shannon Crabtree is editor & publisher of the El Campo Leader-News.

Firefighter

Captain

Domingo Acuna III

Christopher Cadriel

Lone Star Glass

Lone Star Glass/Palacios Bar & Grill

5 years of service

5 years of service

I joined Danevang V.F.D. when I was 18, was fire chief for eight of those 15 years then moved to El Campo, got married and had a beautiful family. I’ve been with the ECVFD for five years now, made Captain and really enjoy it.

Best Memory: My first year helping during Fire Prevention Month, I remember I was one of the kids at the presentation and now I get to help spread the knowledge and awareness that could save someone’s life.

Thank you for serving our communiTy for 110 years! residenTial • commercial • auTo a compleTe glass and mirror service company since 1973 • proud To Be a Texan EL CAMPO BRANCH

909 S. Mechanic #B (979) 543-1234

2 EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

HOUSTON BRANCH

3804 Bissonnet (713) 661-0091

110 YEARS OF SERVICE

HOUSTON BRANCH

10112 Hammerly (713) 464-7024

ECVFD ROLL CALL 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter From The Publisher------------------- Page 2 Training Integral To Saving Lives------------- Page 5 Chiefs Take Charge Of Department---------- Page 9 Women Can Be Firefighters, Too------------ Page 11 Firefighters’ Wives Make Sacrifices--------- Page 13 Looking Back On 110 Years---------------- Page 16 ECVFD Shield Honors Service--------------- Page 19 Auxiliary Group Offers Support------------- Page 21 Mascot Brings Safety Awareness To Kids---- Page 23 Explorers Learn By Doing------------------- Page 25 Community Backs Firefighters-------------- Page 27 Department Funded By Tax Dollars--------- Page 30

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Domingo Acuna........................... Page 2 Rene Alaniz................................. Page 15 J. Paul Appling........................... Page 30 Bubba Baker................................ Page 8 Ruben Barron.............................Page 19 Kevin Bubela...............................Page 10 Chris Cadriel................................ Page 2 Nicolas Chapa............................ Page 20 Travis Clark................................ Page 30 Thomas Davlin............................. Page 6 Manuel Escamilla...................... Page 24 Brandon George..........................Page 19 Jimmy George, Jr........................ Page 8 Mike Giesalhart........................... Page 6 Cody Guynes.................................Page 7 Jonathan Hogan........................ Page 24 Ross Hrncir.................................Page 19 Thurman Kirby.......................... Page 26 Sterling Labay ............................Page 19 Mark Limones . ......................... Page 29 Trey Mahaltic..............................Page 14 Andrew McKinley...................... Page 28 Jared Merta..................................Page 7 Steven Miller............................... Page 15 Cody Mobley.............................. Page 29 Bill Morris...................................Page 10 Jimmy Nielsen............................Page 10 Frank Olsovsky.............................Page 7 Josh Phillips.................................Page 7 Justin Priesmeyer...................... Page 28 Randy Rivera............................. Page 26 Andy Rodriguez......................... Page 22 Rebecca Rosales........................... Page 6 Clinton Rothbauer....................... Page 6 Juan Rubio................................. Page 28 Bryce Skow................................. Page 30 Kenneth Socha............................Page 12 Larry Staff..................................Page 19 Charlene Viktorin...................... Page 22

El Campo Volunteer Fire Department 110 Years Of Service

is a publication of the EL CAMPO LEADER-NEWS

by El Campo Newspapers, Inc., P.O. Box 1180, El Campo, Texas 77437 www.leader-news.com Copyright 2018

Shannon Crabtree Publisher Editorial Director

Haley Stewart Missy Perilloux Advertising Specialists

Shannon Crabtree Quala Matocha Melony Overton Contributing Writers

Brittany O’Brien Production Manager Graphic Design

Nancy Unrein, Kristie Kaluza, Joshua Reese Contributing Staff

EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 110 YEARS OF SERVICE

3

Diligence

Team Work

Honor

Dedication

Pride

Thank you for your service.

Here’s to many more years, Congratulations!

1912 N. Mechanic St., El Campo

979-543-2753 vonderauford.com

4 EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

110 YEARS OF SERVICE

Volunteers train day and night to learn fire fighting skills

By MELONY OVERTON reporter@leader-news.com

The El Campo Volunteer Fire Department’s 41 firefighters conduct training drills three times a month, spending hours on various firefighting and rescue techniques to serve residents in their time of need.

Drills take place at the department’s training field behind Friendship Park off North Wharton Street. The field spans 30 acres and includes a four-story training tower, a burn house and different liquid propane gas projects or “props” as Fire Chief Jimmy

George Jr. calls them.

“We are really proud of our training field,” George said.

“Our training goes through all the aspects of firefighting from the burn house to hose operations from rolling hose and loading hose onto trucks, to ladder practice, to rope rescue and auto rescue where we use the hydraulic tools to remove victims from vehicles,” George added.

Most of the training is hands on, but fire fighters also spend time in the classroom and in training outside of the area at regional and statewide training facilities, namely the Texas

A&M Engineering Extension Service annual fire school in College Station.

“Not all of our firefighters can come to every training drill. We try to train as much as we can, and that is why we do it three times a month,” George said.

“We try to stick with one idea at a time. We were doing hose operations especially for new firefighters so they know how to roll and load a hose, do advanced hose, or when you need to change out a hose and how to connect a hose.”

ECVFD firefighters follow the National Fire Protection

Agency’s standards. Certification is through the State Firefighters and Fire Marshals Association of Texas.

“We follow those standards and try to get everybody trained as much as we can,” George said. “Firefighters spent 6,584 total training hours for 2017. That comes out to 173.3 hours per firefighter.”

The training field has been used by county and area fire departments and law enforcement agencies for SWAT teams and for natural disaster staging simulations to area plants for industrial training.

(Continued to Page 8)

EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 110 YEARS OF SERVICE

5

Burn House Drill “One of the most used areas at the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department Training Field is the burn house, a cement block structure with multiple rooms built to resemble a residence, Jimmy George Jr. said. “We built it kind of like a residential home because residential firefighting is what we usually do the most.”

Contributed Photo

Vice President

Firefighter

Chris Davlin

Clinton Rothbauer

4 years of service Self-Employed

2 1/2 years of service BB&C Trucking

I joined because: The ECVFD has long been regarded as one of the best in Texas. The other is being able to serve your family, friends and community and knowing you are a part of something bigger than just yourself.

What I think makes volunteer firefighting a truly unique experience is how we stop and drop everything when the tone drops. We put our life on hold to help or save another person who needs it.

Firefighter

Lieutenant

Mike Giesalhart

Rebecca Rosales

31 years of service City of El Campo EMS

5 years of service

Davita Dialysis, US Army, City of El Campo Trust is the up most importance in public safety. The community has to trust us with their lives and property and their family safety. As a team we have to be able to trust each other because our lives depend on it.

We’re here for you, like they are here for us!

One of my most vivid memories was the night Tree House Furniture burned.

There were multiple firefighters operating from many departments.

I was in the ladder truck 1234 for over 8 hours with Bill Morris.

Thank you for

everything you do for the girls and I, and your service to the community. We are so proud of you!

Love, Darlene, Delaine, and Delilah 6 EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

110 YEARS OF SERVICE

Quick To Respond El Campo volunteer firefighter training goes through all the aspects of firefighting from the burn house to hose operations from rolling hose and loading hose onto trucks to ladder practice, to rope rescue and auto rescue where hydraulic tools are used to remove victims from vehicles.

Contributed Photo

Firefighter

Frank Olsovsky, Jr. “A volunteer firefighter is a very special person. I think they deserve a pat on the back every day for their sacrifice for the city,”

– Jimmy George Jr. ECVFD Fire Chief

Captain

Jared Merta 18 years of service E.A. Collins & Sons

It takes time, dedication and a very supportive family to be a volunteer firefighter because there will be times when family gets left behind at the store or restaurant when you answer the call.

32 years of service Wharton County Maintenance Most vivid memory: A wreck call in December 1986, underneath the overpass in Hillje. It happened at night, a blue station wagon ran into a parked 18-wheeler box truck. Nine people died, 1 young boy survived.

Firefighter

Cody Guynes 4 years of service

El Campo EMS Paramedic

What makes volunteer firefighting a truly unique experience is getting to help my community and learning new skills while doing it.

Firefighter

Josh Phillips

13 years of service Houston Fire Department I joined because: A chance to do the things you enjoy for the community you were born and raised in. I have also been with the Houston Fire Department since 2009.

Happy 110th Anniversary!

Thank you for all you do!

C & G Recycling

320 E. Alfred St., EC 979-543-5916

EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 110 YEARS OF SERVICE

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—Training field upgrades coming soon (Continued from Page 8) Live burns begin in the burn house, a cement block structure with multiple rooms built to resemble a residence. Once hay is lit inside, firefighters in full gear crouch down to enter to do search and rescue and extinguish the fire.

“We built it kind of like a residential home because residential fire fighting is what we usually do the most,” George said.

“We find the burning room/ rooms, extinguish it and make sure if there are any victims they can get them out,” he added.

The “victim” is made of heavy hose.

Propane props include a pump house, a propane gas tank, an oilfield wellhead simulation, a “heater treater” or a

production apparatus on most of the well sites, a vehicle and a residential meter.

Training also involves a three-year-old, four-story, enclosed rappelling tower used for everything from rope rescue to air pack training.

“Instead of starting a fire for

“We evaluate what the needs are for our area as we go,”

– Jimmy George Jr. actual smoke, we have a smoke generator. The firefighters go in and search. We are getting the newer firefighters used to wearing an air pack, using hose

lines, searching rooms, getting our training where we save our fallen firefighters so they can get them out,” George said.

It also has a sprinkler system.

Over time, new props have been added including a structure that resembles a roof to practice cutting holes for ventilation and a fire extinguisher pit that simulates a diesel/gasoline/petroleum fire.

“We fill it up with water about halfway and in the bottom of it is a grid of piping that is hooked to our propane system. When you put the water in there, you turn on the propane to supply it and light it off. It puts out a pretty good flame. Firefighters go in there with an extinguisher, sweep across the top of it and put the fire out,” George said.

Firefighter

“We can’t burn oil or diesel because of the issues with run off. We don’t have a system to do that, and it’s quite costly,” he said.

The most recently installed training tower provides the department with most of the training elements it needs, but that doesn’t mean the chief can’t have a wish list that includes an elevated prop with a stairwell for industrial training and a diesel engine for a railroad prop.

“We evaluate what the needs are for our area as we go.

It’s as close as we can financially get to a state of the art training facility. There are some things we need to upgrade. We need to replace piping on the propane projects. We will do that pretty quick,” George said.

Fire Chief

Bubba Baker

James F. George, Jr.

28 years of service City of El Campo

34 years of service City of El Campo EMS

Unique experience: The dedication to serve their fellow citizens without compensation.

These firefighters should be recognized for their service, it takes a special person to spend their time away from family & jobs for training, alarms and fundraisers.

I wanted to help the community and mankind. One of my most vivid memories is helping the citizens of El Campo in the flood of 2004.

Thank you for your service!

E

l Campo Independent School District

administration, board of trustees, faculty and students salute the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department on their 110 year anniversary.

Thank you for all your efforts, including parking cars for games & graduation, and the extra

Attorneys at Law

time you spend teaching our children

207 W. Jackson St., El Campo, TX 77437

fire safety and fire prevention.

8 EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

979-543-6845

110 YEARS OF SERVICE

Call Them Chief Three Volunteers Take On Responsibilities To Direct Crews, Ensure Public’s Safety

CHIEF JIMMY GEORGE JR.

By SHANNON CRABTREE publisher@leader-news.com

They wear the white helmets on scenes, taking charge of the battles to protect lives and property while being trusted to ensure the safety of the men and women of the department.

They are the on-scene commanders – Fire Chief Jimmy George Jr. along with assistant chiefs Kevin Bubela and Bill Morris.

The son of a volunteer firefighter, George has spent a lifetime around the fire service. Still, he says, it’s awe-inspiring to see the dedication of those willing to answer the call when the town’s sirens shriek out an alarm.

“A volunteer firefighter is a very special person,” George said. “I think they deserve a pat on the back every day for their sacrifice for the city.”

George’s family has become a department legacy with the his son Brandon also a long-term member of the department.

His family’s support has always been there, the chief said, despite sacrifices.

Morris has been in the department 23 years, five as an assistant chief. “It’s a lot of responsibility. There’s everybody here, all the trucks, command, but I thought it was time to step up,” he said.

Morris, like Bubela, is used to being one of the guys on the hose line. It’s a big change to direct the action.

“It’s hard. You get used to doing it. Now I have to kind of be one step back,” he said.

Both he and Bubela can quickly size up a situation and plot a plan to douse the fire, rescue those trapped, ensure public

ASSISTANT CHIEF BILL MORRIS safety or whatever else is needed.

Twice an ECVFD Firefighter of the Year, Bubela has earned honors and the respect of the membership in his 27 years.

“I don’t do it for the recognition,” Bubela said. “I do it to serve my community.”

The modern department is a far cry from Chief H.B. Gilmer’s group – the founding members on July 10, 1908.

They united after three horrendous blazes between the late 1890s and early 1900s which reduced whole sections of the city to ash.

Other chiefs between 1909 and 1925 were E.A.J. Steaves, A.B. Nyes and William Priesmeyer.

In 1925, shortly after P.J. Herrmann began his three decades as chief, the firefighters were issued their first gear and in 1927 he and other department leaders set up a burial fund for firefighters.

Chief Les Collins served as acting chief when Herrmann was unable to be out in the field. After Herrmann, then 66, died in February 1965, Collins held the post for 10-12 years.

Charles Orsak replaced Collins, serving from 1973 to 1981 except for July 1977 to 1978 when Jack Roberts served for a year.

The fire service got its first airpacks

ASSISTANT CHIEF KEVIN BUBELA about then.

Under Roberts’ leadership, training intensified with drills being held every month.

In 1984 Larry Staff took the helm and remained chief through 1992 when he was briefly replaced by Roberts for another single term.

The son of an El Campo firefighter – Anton Staff – “I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps,” he said in a 1998 interview.

His father served 25 years before dying in an industrial accident in 1968.

Staff served as chief from 1994 through June of 1998 when he was replaced by George. Jimmy Nielsen, previously an assistant, served as chief from June 2008 to June 2012 when George was re-elected by the membership.

EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 110 YEARS OF SERVICE

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OTHER PAST EL CAMPO VFD CHIEFS

ECVFD ‘Chief For Life’ Chief Paul Herrmann served as the department’s leader from 1925 to 1963. The members of the department dubbed him “Chief For Life.”

Under his administration, the department got its first brick station and began to use safety equipment.

JACK ROBERTS

LES COLLINS

CHARLIE ORSAK

LARRY STAFF

JIMMY NIELSEN

Safety Officer

Assistant Fire Chief

Jimmy Nielsen

Kevin Bubela

32 years of service Retired - Multi-Fab Metal PT

27 years of service VonDerAu Ford

At the time I owned a business and wanted to give back to the community.

I quickly found out I enjoyed it a lot and have never regretted becoming a fire man.

We deal with people in some of the worst moments of their lives.

Whether it be a car accident or a fire in which they may have lost everything, we strive to make a difference, big or small. The reward we feel is greater than the risk.

Assistant Fire Chief

Bill Morris

Proudly Supporting the E.C.V.F.D!

23 years of service City of El Campo I joined because: Protecting our town of El Campo, helping other town’s departments when needed and brotherhood and dedication among firefighters is truly a unique experience.

10 EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

401 Ellwood • El Campo, TX 77437

110 YEARS OF SERVICE

979-543-2670

“A shared Facebook post about joining the department, from the ECVFD, popped up the last day they were taking applications. It felt like God’s timing.Without hesitation, I applied,” – Charlene Kidwell Viktorin

Firefighter believes in helping her community we serve. I’m comfortable interacting with people of all ages, races, gender and economical levels,” she said. “This contributes to my ability to work well with others and professionally interact with the public.

Every call and combination of firefight-

Viktorin has discovered volunteer firefighters have to make many sacrifices.

“Being part of the fire department, As a teenager, becoming a volunteer there’s many obligations outside of going firefighter intrigued Charlene Kidwell to fires, wrecks and so forth,” she said.

Viktorin, but it wasn’t until after her kids “There are meetings, weekly training, were older that the dream became a events and fundraisers. These instancreality. es and calls, on occasion interfere with “Firefighting was an interest I’d family plans. My non-driving children had since high school,” Viktorin said. have had to manage how they’re get“Life’s circumstances took me in diting to or from an activity or school, or rections that put the possibility of have had to miss out on a lunch date pursuing such an involved interest, with me on a school day. Everyone has quite impossible.” even missed out on or had a delayed Fast forward to February 2017. “It time for a home cooked dinner. It all appeared I had a little extra time on comes with the territory.” my hands. The kids were now older Viktorin hopes she is setting an exand mostly self-sufficient in their ample for other women who are concare and activities. I found myself sidering joining the department. wishing to find a way to use my time “Though I didn’t join to prove and whatever gifts I possessed, to women can do the same job as a man, serve our community,” she said. “A nor did I ever put much thought to it, shared Facebook post about joining but over time I have come to the conthe department, from the ECVFD, clusion that I am indeed setting an popped up the last day they were takexample for other women as well as ing applications. It felt like God’s timyoung girls,” she said. “They see me ing. Without hesitation, I applied.” out there on calls and events alongside Very few women join the fire dethe many other firefighters that are by partment, currently she and Mickey tradition, men.

Rosales are the only two, Viktorin Her advice for women is to not be believes they “may feel intimidated “intimidated by all the gadgets and by the physical and mental aspects,” gizmos and tasks. Everyone struggles she said. “Others might be primarily and excels at different things. Step consumed with the task of raising a out of that comfort zone and surprise family and working.” yourself.”

Being a firefighter can be very Viktorin wasn’t the first firefighter taxing on the body, so being in good in her family, though. physical condition as well as receiv“Two of my older brothers joined ing the appropriate training is imDanevang VFD for a short while when portant for one’s safety to do the job I was in high school. Their participaContributed Photo tion intrigued me. One of my best well.

“There are many areas of the job I’m A Firefighter childhood friends has been a firethat can be quite strenuous,” she Charlene Kidwell Viktorin works the night shift at fighter as long as I can remember. said. “CPR certification is offered Walmart, while also volunteering for the ECVFD. He’s currently a captain with the El regularly by the department to all She hopes to set an example for other women Campo VFD. He’s thrown me a nudge firefighters. As a volunteer firefightwanting to join the department. here and there over the years to join ... er, there is studying and online tests encouraging me each time, that I can to be completed over the course of do it.” time. Several, including myself, also may ers responding to them, is different. It’s As a female firefighter, she hopes to inattend a week-long fire training school best to be capable of getting along. I feel spire other women to join the department. as though I’m adaptable and hard workonce to twice a year.”

“Our community has several females Working well and communicating with ing in general. Good thing, too. There’s a in roles as EMTs, police officers, teachfellow firefighters in the department in wide range of duties to be accomplished ers, principals, doctors, preachers and city to maintain equipment functionality and council persons, to name a few. Women this line of work is just as important.

“Our firefighters come from all walks firefighter safety.”

In her short time with the department, (See VIKTORIN, Page 12) of life, as do the people in the community

By QUALA MATOCHA lifestyle@leader-news.com

EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 110 YEARS OF SERVICE

11

– Viktorin, Rosales paving way for other women (Continued from Page 11) have much to offer in many fields, the fire service included.”

But for Viktorin, gratification is knowing she is helping others as well as teaching children about fire safety during special programs at the schools. That is one of the reasons she joined.

“Going to the schools and day cares with the fire prevention program are both gratify-

ing and memorable. The kids look forward to the visit,” she said.

Viktorin, who is divorced and dating ECPD Cpl. Nathan Kubes, has three children: Amber Popp, who is 20 and active in the Texas National Guard; Austin Viktorin, 16, who is

involved in debate, theatre, Anchor Club and is a Police Explorer and 15-year-old Avery Viktorin, a member of the El Campo High School band who also volunteers for Manna Meals.

Lt. Rosales, who has been with the fire department for

five years, is also currently serving as their mascot, Sparky.

Her background as a nurse for 22 years and now an EMT, has been very beneficial as a firefighter. (See story about Rosales on Page 13.)

In Training Charlene Viktorin is seen here fighting a fire at fire training school in College Station. She is pictured in the El Campo VFD uniform wearing a black helmet.

Contributed Photo

Vice President

Kenneth Socha 27 years of service Socha Enterprises, Inc.

My mechanical knowledge of pumps and engines has helped me instruct others on proper operation of the apparatus. This knowledge is also passed on during our in house drills and the annual fire school in College Station.

Ongoing supporter of the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department.

In memory of all the firefighters who have gone before us.

SOCHA’S CAR WASH Car Wash #1 1710 N . Mechanic • El Campo Car Wash #2 701 N . Mechanic • El Campo Edna Location - 525 West Main Eagle Lake Location - 110 Hwy 3013 West

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Proud to support our El Campo Firefighters!

LUMBER AND HOME IMPROVEMENT CENTERS 1504 North Mechanic • El Campo - 979-543-1801 Open Everyday : Mon. - Fri.: 7:30am - 8pm, Sat.: 7:30am - 6:00 pm, Sun.: 9am - 5pm

110 YEARS OF SERVICE

Firefighters sacrifice time with family Wives make adjustments so spouses can help community in need

By QUALA MATOCHA lifestyle@leader-news.com Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days out of the year, they are at the beck and call of those needing to be rescued. That’s the life of a volunteer firefighter. They sacrifice time with family and friends and time away from work. The wives, husbands and children they leave behind also make sacrifices, making adjustments to their daily lives.

Dawn Merta and Michelle Acuna both respect the decisions their husbands made to become firefighters.

Merta, wife of Jared Merta who has been with the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department for 18 1/2 years, remembers the year her husband joined the department.

“Jared joined the ECVFD in February 2000,” she said. “I was pregnant with our youngest son, Ryder.”

For Acuna, her husband Domingo started out in the Danevang VFD in 1998 where he served as fire chief shortly before joining El Campo in 2011 when they moved to town. “He started as a regular firefighter, moved his way up to lieutenant and is now captain,” Acuna said.

When there’s a fire or wreck, these wives know their husbands must answer the call.

They may be out shopping and finding themselves stranded, or attending a birthday party or other special occasion knowing they have to find a ride home.

Or it could be in the middle of the night, there is no way to plan these things.

“At any time our schedule can be interrupted and we make it work,” Acuna said. “He loves what he does and I support that the best I can. He has left us at church before to go on a call and we got a ride home. We can be going somewhere and he gets a call and we just drop him off at the fire station. The kids don’t mind because they get to see their dad pull out on the fire truck.”

For Merta, there have been

“plenty of interrupted meals and family gatherings.”

A couple of those instances she vividly recalls, like the time she was about two weeks from delivering Ryder.

“We drove up on an accident scene of a overturned vehicle and the occupants were trapped,” she said. “We were leaving a family lunch when they were toned out. It seemed like it took forever to get them out and my bladder was full and trying to occupy a three-year-old (old-

got to tell all their friends how life flight landed right beside our truck, so I think that made up for us being a little late.”

The demands of a firefighter can take its tole on marriages and family life in general.

“Yes, I get frustrated at times when we have plans, but I adjust and he will meet us places when he’s done,” Acuna said. “He loves doing this and he’s done it for so long we just make it work.”

The Acunas have three small children, six-year-old daugh-

Caressing his newborn son Rian, Domingo Acuna III serves as KGibson Phototgraphy captain in the El Campo VFD. est son Hunter) made for a very interesting afternoon.”

Another time was a Cub Scout trip to Splashway, the waterpark in Sheridan.

“We drove up on another overturned vehicle between Garwood and Altair,” Merta said. “It had just happened – there weren’t even any emergency vehicles on scene yet. The boys knew dad had to stop and help. They were upset because they wanted to be at Splashway as soon as it opened. But they

ter Ryleigh, two and a half year old son Daxton and a newborn, three-month-old Rian.

“He’s the best dad and tries his best to make everything for our daughter Ryleigh,” she said.

“He even got in the Sparky outfit last week when they visited her school. And Daxton loves seeing his dad in uniform and he takes him to the station often to check out the firetrucks.”

Merta agrees, life as a firefighter wife can be frustrating, but then she realizes if the tables

were turned, she would want someone helping her family in a time of need, too.

“It is definitely not easy sharing your husband with the whole community, but it’s something he feels strongly about and I have to support him,” Merta said. “In the beginning, it was a big adjustment living our life around his pager – my worst fear was that I would go into labor while he was answering an emergency call. One time towards the end of the pregnancy, I was timing contractions when he left, but didn’t want to tell him just in case it was a false alarm. And at times it still is because the pager doesn’t always go off at the most opportune time.”

The Mertas’ two sons are older now, but when they were younger, they didn’t understand why daddy had to leave.

“Hunter was three when Jared joined the department and he didn’t quite understand why daddy would go rushing off,” Merta said. “He had a hard time with him leaving in the middle of the night. No matter how quiet Jared would try to be, Hunter would wake up. He was worried daddy wouldn’t come home. Ryder was born just a few months after Jared joined, so when Jared left it was just normal for him.”

Another example of being left behind while dad went to fight a fire was while the Mertas were out shopping one day.

“We laugh about this now, but I remember we were in Walmart picking up a few items and the tone went off and Jared left us in the store,” she said. “Hunter was maybe four or five and he starts yelling ‘we are going to be in Walmart FOREVER!’” Demands of a volunteer firefighter can be overwhelming at times. Arriving on scene, they witness the horrors of what can happen to victims in a wreck, fire or other emergency situation.

Husbands and wives of firefighters are often the ones who see its effects on their spouse.

“Some scenes affect him more

(See HEART, Page 14)

EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 110 YEARS OF SERVICE

13

– Heart of gold (Continued from Page 13) than others and I’ve learned that I can’t help him get through all of them,” Merta said. “It’s hard to sit back and watch him deal with the bad that he sees, but he knows that when he’s ready to talk about it, I will be there for him.”

For the spouse left at home, it’s only natural to worry about their loved one possibly being in harm’s way. Even though the volunteer firefighter is thoroughly trained, they can succumb to heat or smoke when working to quell a fire.

“Deep down, I always fear for his safety,” Merta said. “When he is toned out, I always say a quick prayer for him and all the others rushing to help and the victims that they are going to help. When he first joined the department, I would turn up the scanner and listen to what was going on – not so much now days. I worry about the time af-

ter the call. There have been too many times to mention when he has worked a wreck or a fire all night long, come home, taken a shower and went straight to work and worked all day. Fires worry me more than the wrecks because I know that he will be

one of the first ones to enter the burning structure. The fires that really got to me were the Cupid’s Corner fire and Tree House Furniture.”

Acuna has some of the same fears.

“I’m always worried when

The Mertas: Jared with wife Dawn and their children, Hunter (back) and Ryder (front).

Contributed Photo

“I’m always worried when he goes on calls, whether it’s a wreck or fire. Ryleigh has cried at times when he leaves that her daddy wasn’t going to come back and why does he have to leave. I explain to her that he’s going to help someone in need and her daddy is trained to help,” – Michelle Acuna he goes on calls, whether it’s a wreck or fire,” Acuna said.

“Ryleigh has cried at times when he leaves that her daddy wasn’t going to come back and why does he have to leave. I explain to her that he’s going to help someone in need and her daddy is trained to help.”

Despite the fears and having their schedules disrupted, Acuna and Merta are both proud of their husbands serving in the role in which they do to help others.

“Jared has a heart of gold,” Merta said. “He is always willing to help anyone. I often joke that the word ‘no’ is not in his vocabulary. He also has a desire to make a difference in his com-

Lieutenant

We salute all you do for this community, Happy Anniversary!

Trey Mahalitc 8 years of service Lauritsen Farms

Most vivd memory: Chief George requested volunteers to man the station, we filled our bunk room ready to help whoever was in need. No one went home for days. We also helped Wharton with water rescues during Harvey.

We’re glad you’re here, congratulations on your milestone!

Nursery Company

262 FM 2674 Road El Campo, TX 77437 (979) 543-6891 14 EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

103 E. Monseratte St., El Campo

979-543-9498

110 YEARS OF SERVICE

munity. Jared is also very committed.”

Acuna says her husband “is always willing to help someone out no matter what or how busy he is. He gives us a 100 percent even if he’s been on a call all night with no sleep. He always tries to better himself.”

Acuna’s husband recently completed an EMT class which he will test for in the near future.

Jared also wanted to be better equipped to work as a firefighter by obtaining his paramedic certification.

“This took a lot of time away from the family because he was going to school at night while continuing to work 45 plus hours a week and then his weekends were filled with clinicals that were required for his class,” Merta said.

While these volunteers give back to the community, the wives do witness gratitude for what their firefighting husbands do.

“There have been numerous occasions where we are eating out and Jared gets up and leaves for a call,” Merta said. “We will

have at least one or two citizens come up and tell us that they will wait until we are finished eating so they can give us a ride home.

We’ve also had our meals paid for a time or two after someone has seen us left behind while he responds to a fire or wreck.

Another time when Jared

received thanks was in the form of a letter to the editor from a grateful family. He was headed in one evening to work an EMS shift and came up on an vehicle that was driving erratically. He was able to get the vehicle to pull over and discovered the driver was having a diabetic

The Acunas: Ryleigh, Daxton, Domingo with baby son Rian and Michelle Acuna.

KGibson Phototgraphy

emergency. An ambulance was called and the driver was taken to the hospital and made a full recovery.”

Merta and Acuna are both appreciative of their husbands

“I can’t really find the words to explain how proud I am of Jared. It takes a very special person to be a volunteer fireman – to see what they see and still be willing to drop everything in a heartbeat and answer the call over and over again,” – Dawn Merta and the time they devote to helping others.

“I am extremely proud of him and the sacrifices he takes when going on calls,” Acuna said.

“I can’t really find the words to explain how proud I am of Jared,” Merta said. “It takes a very special person to be a volunteer fireman – to see what they see and still be willing to drop everything in a heartbeat and answer the call over and over again.”

Lieutenant

Steven Miller

12 years of service Allgayer’s Big Red, LLC I joined because: Watching other departments as a kid save lives from an accident.

My uncle was also a firefighter with another department.

Trainee

Rene Alaniz

2 months of service Shoppa’s Farm Supply I joined because: I wanted to help out my community and make a difference. I have only been in the department for a few months but really enjoy experiencing the brotherhood.

Services:

Vacuum Trucks, Open Top Tanks, Road Trucks, Winch Trucks and Frac Trucks Jeff and Susan Nohavitza

P: 979-543-6851 T: 800-541-9198

Honoring past Firefighters J.H. Faas, Tony Faas and Mont Senior Petru.

EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 110 YEARS OF SERVICE

15

Fire department more than century old spot where the Von Dohlen-Appling Motor company now stands,” according to a 1958 account. “Next a tin building was erected for the fire station at the site of the present downtown store of the A&P Grocery company. The old building is now being used as a warehouse shed by the Isaacson-Carrico company.”

At some point, a steam whistle was set up as a siren to summon volunteers in the event of an emergency.

Other chiefs between 1909 and 1925

and we couldn’t get it started. There were many times we had to push that Model T back in the station.”

Reports conflict on if the Ford was purhe El Campo Volunteer Fire chased in 1915 or not until 1924.

Department first formed in In 1923, the ECVFD was 17 members July 1908 and has been fightstrong and had “one piece of motorized ing fires and saving lives ever since. equipment, a soda and acid chemical From hand-drawn carts to state-of-thetruck.” A Ford pumper replaced that truck art firefighting equipment, the ECVFD in 1924, according to newspaper accounts. has come a long way in their 110 years In 1925, shortly after P.J. Herrmann of volunteerism. However, one thing was named chief, a blaze billed as the remains the same. worst fire in El Campo history These volunteers, men and womoccurred when “the rice mill en, come to the aid of others when burned with a total loss the call for help rings out. of $96,000. The fire Before the department’s formabegan in the top of the tion, El Campo, like many woodmill and the city had no framed Texas towns of the time, had equipment to reach it,” been consumed by flames more than according to an Aug. once in its brief history on the prairie.

23, 1953 account.

“The real development of El “With our increased Campo did not begin until after the firefighting knowledge destructive fire of 1896, in which the and our modern equipprincipal business section of the city ment, I am sure we was destroyed,” Dr. George F. Maycould save the building field wrote in his 1935-1936 history of if such was to happen El Campo. “Many felt that this was a now,” Herrmann said death blow to the struggling village.” in the 1953 article.

Five years later (in 1901), another Herrmann worked fire destroyed the community then to ensure firefighters had known as Prairie Switch. equipment, issuing the first El Campo became a city in 1905, gear - a rain coat. In 1926, but still didn’t have anything more the “new station” - now the organized than scrambling feet and El Campo Chamber of Comwell-meaning hearts to deal with merce & Agriculture - was emergencies. built at 01 N. Mechanic with Residents said they had enough after a third devastating fire tore The building above served as the fire station in 1926 when it funds from a city bond isthrough the south side of the city in was built at 01 N. Mechanic. The next location was on East sue. Firefighters “pitched in with the concrete work, dug 1906.

Jackson by City Hall and the newest location, since early 2017, ditches and did carpentry “Brick buildings were constructed is on the West Loop. work,” according to the 1958 to replace the long rows of wooden L-N File Photos account. structures which were wiped away by It was a busy start for Herthe fire,” Mayfield wrote. rmann who served as chief Within two years the El Campo volunteer firefighting force formed, its were E.A.J. Steaves, A.B. Nyes and Wil- until the early 1960s.

In 1927, the department set up a burial charter issued July 10, 1908 with the first liam Priesmeyer. Priesmeyer was chief in 1924 just before P.J. Herrmann took confund for firefighters. By 1928, it acquired meeting July 16. The charter renewed on trol for more than three decades. a 350 gpm Chevrolet pumper and in 1940 Aug. 7, 1958.

In a 1979 interview in the Leader- got a 200 gpm International booster with H.B. Gilmer was the first chief with John Priesmeyer the assistant chief. Other News, then retired firefighter Anton a 300 gallon tank. Chomout recalled an founders were John Counts, John Char- “Toby” Chomout shared his recollections. American LaFrance which may have been Around 1924, he said, “When I joined, one of those two in actuality. bula, Paul Fricke, Frank Tobalka, B.W. Whatever the model, Chomout didn’t Abernathy, Louis Bacak, William Pries- they had a cart with two wheels and a harmeyer, J.H. Williams, W.H. Bruns, Tom ness. Two men would put on the harness much care for the truck.

“The streets were dirt and we had to put Self, J.W. Hruska, J.T. Davison, L.J. Ju- and pull the cart which had the hoses in it.

“A little later we got a Model T, 300 chains on all four wheels of the pumper rasek and F. Habernal.

“We used to meet at the lumberyard gallon pumper,” he added. “It would usu- when it rained so it would have a better or just anywhere we could find a room,” ally get to the fires without any trouble. grip on the road. One rainy day we made Counts said in a 1946 newspaper account. But a lot of times, when we were ready to a corner at 40 mph, hit the curb and the The first fire station was a shed at “the go back to the station, it would freeze up truck turned all the way over. I was cripBy SHANNON CRABTREE publisher@leader-news.com

T

16 EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

110 YEARS OF SERVICE

– Deadliest fire takes lives of seven children pled for three weeks,” he recounted.

But the story of that wreck hasn’t been uncovered yet.

Herrmann was a South Texas icon – he never missed a meeting or drill during his 37 years as chief – while all the time also working to help fire services statewide. He served as the city mayor from April 1948 to April 1950 and became a police officer in 1953.

Herrmann, along with Department President Cecil Kinard, were in office for the August 1958 charter renewal ceremony.

In 1949, two children were killed and two more injured when a coal oil stove exploded.

“Neighbors as far away as two blocks said they heard the explosion and an instant later noticed that the interior of the house appeared to be a ball of fire,” according to a newspaper account.

It took a special person to be a firefighter, Herrmann told the reporters of the day.

“We .... find that standing and looking at a fire is a lot different to getting in there and fighting it,” he said. “Getting out on cold, soggy days and getting up in the middle of the night and being constantly on call isn’t as easy as it appears.”

He was revered by his troops who dubbed him their “chief for life,” even after an illness brought his service to a standstill in February 1963.

“There just was never a chief like Paul Herrmann,” Retired Chief Les Collins said.

Collins, the department’s president, served as acting chief during the time Herrmann was unable to be out in the field. When Herrmann, 66, died in February 1965, Collins was elected chief and served 10-12 years.

Collins joined Sept. 5, 1935, two months after assisting firefighters with the battle to save a neighbor’s house, helping hold a pressurized hose line steady.

“The next thing I knew, I was in the department and didn’t know anything about it. And I’ve been there ever since,” he said in a 1983 interview.

The department still had a

from 1973 to 1981 except for July 1977 to 1978 when Jack Roberts served.

Orsak, along with Herman Novak (the city’s first EMS director), helped the city get its first ambulance – a Navy sur-

13, 1986 when seven children, ages 2 months to 8 years, died.

The children were left alone in a two-room house without a means of escape. When firefighters arrived around 12:27 a.m. they found the back door nailed shut and the windows covered in plywood. An investigation later determined a kerosene heater was to blame.

Their mothers were sentenced to one year each for injury to a child.

Another devastating event took place Dec. 21, 1986 when nine people from three families were killed in a single accident. A station wagon rammed the rear end of a legally parked truck in Hillje.

The 10 in the vehicle had been returning from a funeral in Mexico. Only a 7-year-old boy survived.

Two years later, another two children died in a home blaze.

In 1991, the department A February 1986 fire call on Palacios Street was one of the most devastat- dealt with two hazardous maing in El Campo’s history. Seven children died in the fire believed to have terial situations in less than a been started by a kerosene heater.The home’s windows had been boarded month. closed hampering rescue efforts.

Roberts became chief again in 1992, and Staff returned 1994 to 1998. chemical truck when Collins plus vehicle.

Sirens rang out at 11:55 p.m. joined in 1935.

Fire service was becoming The truck “carried a small more safety and skills-oriented on May 26, 1999 – the Louise Rice Mill fire. tank of soda water (about as Orsak’s term waned.

Flames swirled more than 75 gallons) and acid. When “I was the first fireman to rocked and turned upside wear an airpack (in El Cam- 80 feet into the air as firefighters arrived. The electrical down, the acid would mix po),” Roberts said. with the soda water, creating During his first term as surge as breakers closed in the enough pressure to put out chief, Roberts focused on burning mill hit a Ganado substation, killing power to Lousmall fires,” he said in a 1998 training. interview.

“We didn’t have drills (be- ise and temporarily shutting Named Texas’ “Fireman of fore then). Once a month or down water pumps.

Although the newer secthe Year” in 1989, Collins was every other month, we’d just asked to share his views on fire drive the vehicles. I changed tions of the mill were saved, service. all that.” other areas were reduced to “First you should be reIt took years to actually ac- charred timbers. Before the sponsible for your men,” he complish. sun rose, more than a half milsaid. “Next, be responsible for In 1984, Larry Staff took lion gallons had been thrown the public. And the last one, be the helm and remained chief into the fight by multiple deresponsible for the property. through 1992 when he was partments.

The property is last because briefly replaced by Roberts for In June of 1999, current you can build new property, another single term.

Chief Jimmy George Jr. took but you can’t build new lives.”

Staff, El Campo firefighters the post serving until mid Charles Orsak, who died and the community as a whole 2008 when Jimmy Nielsen Feb. 21, 1983, took role of fire dealt what may have been El was selected to serve through chief after Collins, serving Campo’s deadliest fire on Feb. June 2012. Since then, George EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 110 YEARS OF SERVICE

17

– West Loop (Continued from Page 17) has held the post.

The Schmidt Implement fire on Jan. 23, 2001 pulled two ladder trucks into ser-

Bride” until the wiring melted.

The Craig-Harriss Post 251 American Legion Hall burned July 10, 2005 due to an electrical fire.

With multiple additions over decades, the building had several solid wood ceilings which hampered firefighting

EMS station was approved by voters.

Completed by BLS Construction of El Campo, the 39,400 square foot facility was erected on the West Loop.

The building includes shared conference rooms, an emergency operations room,

bunk areas for EMS and a fire and an industrial kitchen area.

The facility, designed to last at least 40 years, is now the department’s home with fire truck bay doors built to withstand hurricane force winds and room to grow.

Emergency generators are on-site with the capacity to keep the entire facility operational through severe conditions.

The West Loop police, fire and EMS headquarters became operational in the Spring of 2017.

Firefighting Gear Firefighter bunker gear is neatly organized in its own special place inside the new West Loop facility that has been operational since early 2017.

L-N Photos by Shannon Crabtree vice in the 100 block of South Washington. A tool store and night club housed in two of the city’s oldest buildings burned in the arson blaze.

One of the eeriest blazes in the department’s history was the Cupid’s Corner fire, 703 S. Mechanic, on April 3, 2003.

Called in at 4:26 a.m., firefighters encountered a burning cross and a blazing bridal shop decorated with signs quoting the Bible and threatening the city judge.

As firefighters battled the deliberately set blaze, it spread to a white limousine parked nearby, triggering its horn to sound “Here Comes The

efforts as the flames moved into the attic. At one point, scene commander Jimmy Nielsen saw the roof was ready to collapse.

He quickly ordered the truck horns to blast full retreat as dozens of firefighters inside quickly cleared the building.

The next year firefighters battled the blaze at Tree House Furniture on March 19, 2006.

“We stayed on scene all night and into the morning,” George said. “Then we had to go back again to put out spot fires during the day.”

In May 2015, a $10.5 million city bond for a new facility to replace the 1974 East Jackson Street police, fire and

Thank you for all you do for the community!

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1808 West Loop (979) 543-2274

18 EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

110 YEARS OF SERVICE

LOUISE BRANCH

206 North Street (979) 648-2691

WHARTON BRANCH

505 E. Boling Hwy (979) 532-0404

ECVFD shield honors service

By BEN ALTENHOFF In the early 1990s, the department membership decided it was time to revise the insignia representing the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department.

At the time, the patch used was round and contained the Maltese cross, which represents the fire service. Located in the middle was the name El Campo. On the left point of the cross is a fire hydrant, the upper point contained the word Fire, the right point showed a ladder and a pike pole in an X fashion, and the lower point has the abbreviation Dept.

The main reason for changing the design was because the patch was identical to the Houston Fire Department’s except for the city’s name and a couple of minor differences in color.

At a monthly meeting, the patch/logo change was discussed and it was decided any firefighter was welcome to come up with a new design. The ideas would then be reviewed and voted on by the

department membership.

I presented the current shape and design to the department.

While visiting family in San Marcos, I saw the City of San Marcos’ logo and was able to modify it to the ECVFD. The department members accepted it and chose the colors, symbols and other icons.

The current patch is like a warrior’s shield, which represents strength.

The phrase “In Unity There Is Strength” is embroidered underneath the bold words, El Campo Volunteer Fire Department. On the upper left side is a boll of cotton and on the upper right side is a rice plant to represent some of the area’s major industries. The inner shield is divided into four parts containing the Texas flag, a fire hydrant, a hydraulic rescue tool and a fire helmet, ladder and pike pole. At the bottom is a Texas seal with the year of the department’s establishment, 1908.

The most symbolic part of the shield is the laurel leaves and ber-

ries. In Greek and Roman times, laurel leaves with berries were woven into crowns. The crown of leaves was given to outstanding persons who performed heroic actions. This award was in honor of the Greek God Apollo.

Laurel leaves, also known as bay leaves, possess culinary, medicinal and cosmetic values as well. In Christianity, the laurel leaves and berries are said to symbolize the resurrection of Christ and the triumph of humanity. As time went

on, it was believed that the laurel leaves brought good luck and warded off evil.

The El Campo Volunteer Fire Department is proud to wear this patch the membership had a part in designing. This logo symbolizes the geographical area and the pridefilled volunteer work. Overall, the current patch represents this department’s commitment of safety to the residents and visitors of El Campo and Wharton County.

Firefighter

Ruben Barron 10 years of service O’Reilly Auto Parts

The most vivid memory I have is the funeral services held for a fallen Wharton firefighter. The brotherhood that was shown from all departments near and far.

It was moving.

Secretary

Fire Marshall

11 years of service El Campo Police Department

48 1/2 years of service City of El Campo

Sterling Labay

Most vivid memory: At a trailer house fire, I was the third man on the line. We were crawling through the house putting out fire. The nozzle man passed up a door, as soon as he passed it, the door came down with intense heat.

Captain

Brandon George 10 years of service Rosenberg Fire Department

Most vivid memory: Maxim Egg Farm fire in Lane City. We spent over 12 hours on scene fighting one of the largest fires this county has ever seen.

Larry Staff

I joined because: My father and several brothers were in the department and working with the department on fundraisers were a few reasons that prompted me to join the ECVFD.

Firefighter

Ross Hrncir

5 1/2 years of service Shoppa’s Farm Supply Working alongside what is called my “second family” is truly a unique experience.

EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 110 YEARS OF SERVICE

19

Firefighter

Nicolas Chapa 1 year of service Bulls Eye Partners

Thank you for your service to the community!

I joined because: To be able to use my spare time and energy to serve the community that I have grown up in, and having the opportunity to go above and beyond for them.

Community Banking Since 1902 202 E. Jackson • El Campo, TX 77437 (979) 543-3349

Congrats on your 110th Anniversary and here’s to many more!

From all of us at WVFD!

“When a man becomes a firefighter his greatest act of bravery has been accomplished. What he does after that is all in the line of work.”

- Edward F. Croker

Thank you for your service!

319 N. Fulton St. • 979-532-4811 ext. 400 20 EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

110 YEARS OF SERVICE

-Raquel Torres

Dedicated To Service At left, members of the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary are, front row from left, Patsy Baker, Helen Hlavaty, Virgie Klatt, and Molly Mobley. Back row from left are Beverly Hensley,Teresa Pierce, Denice Urbanovsky and Amanda Klatt.

Below, auxiliary member Helen Hlavaty boxes cheese balls for delivery in this L-N File Photo. Auxiliary members have outside help with taking orders and making and delivering cheese balls.

L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree

Auxiliary stands by their men in service

By MELONY OVERTON reporter@leader-news.com

Just four years shy of their 40th anniversary as an organization, the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary may have downsized their activities, but not their dedication to service.

Started in March of 1982, the group that met once a year now corresponds with one another through email. Despite the changes over the years, one thing has not changed— the women remain steadfast in their support of the department.

“We don’t do meetings or pay dues. We’re not as active as we used to be and that’s just because of a change in life. It’s not like it used to be,” as auxiliary members get older, according to Helen Hlavaty, who is secretary/treasurer and one of the charter members.

Members help with whatever the department needs.

Rebecca “Mickey” Rosales

was a member of the auxiliary for 17 years beginning in 2001.

Her husband Louis is a retired volunteer firefighter.

“What I enjoyed the most about being a member of the auxiliary was just helping out our firefighters and helping my husband while he was on the scene,” Rosales said.

Becoming a firefighter left little time for the auxiliary, she said.

“I still help with the events,” Rosales said, in addition to being the department’s mascot Sparky and an advisor for the Explorer post.

At one time, auxiliary members visited the schools each year delivering safety messages only to return in December to help Santa pass out candy and fruit to the children to helping assist at parades ensuring the children’s safety when they

ride on top of the fire truck.

Now, the auxiliary still helps with the fire department’s annual appreciation supper held in the spring. They oversee the raffle, too. The auxiliary’s biggest project is the cheese ball fundraiser.

The project started in 1986 with delivering cheese balls and the members making them the weekends before Thanksgiving and Christmas, Hlavaty said. Now the cheese balls are made the weekend before Thanksgiving. Originally, the women made 400 cheese balls, and now they are sold in the thousands, Hlavaty said.

“I’m chairman (of the fundraiser), and I can sell up to 1,000 cheese balls,” because of the network of customers she’s built up over the years, she said.

“We have a lot of people who sell the cheese balls for us who are not members of the auxiliary. Anyone can come in (See LADIES, Page 22)

EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 110 YEARS OF SERVICE

21

—Ladies auxiliary (Continued from Page 11) and help,” as far as making the cheese balls.

“It’s a full day,” to make them, she said.

Most of the cheese balls are delivered and some are picked up. Over the years the sales have helped support the department.

“I would like to have the younger wives involved,”

– Helen Hlavaty

“Last year at Christmas we may have given the guys Hard Work Pays Off $25,000, and it’s not every year we can give that much.

From left, ECVFD Ladies Auxiliary members Amanda Klatt, “We have given the guys Helen Hlavaty, Denise Urbanovsky and Virgie Klatt prepare inquite a bit of money already,” gredients to make cheese balls for an annual fundraiser.

L-N File Photo Hlavaty said.

Firefighter

Captain

Charlene Viktorin

Andres Rodriguez II

1 1/2 years of service El Campo Walmart

5 years of service Wharton EMS

Most vivid memory: As the gear can be intimidating, the schools and day cares are reminded of the importance of being brave and not scared of firefighters during fire prevention programs.

Underneath, we’re just regular people.

BUILDERS

One of my notable memories was from a structure fire that was behind Mr. Money Pawn Shop. We pull up and I was just impressed with how well the crew on the truck went to work which showed all those hours of training.

Happy 110th Anniversary!

Proud Supporters!

NEC

P.O. Box 1430 • El Campo, TX 77437 Phone: (979) 543-5517

Northside Education Center 707 Fahrenthold • northside_center@yahoo.com

www.hbuildersllc.com

22 EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

You have to be a firefighter’s wife in order to join the auxiliary, Hlavaty said.

Younger firefighters’ wives lead busy lives along with their husbands to the point where extra time is scarcely available to devote to the auxiliary, Hlavaty said.

“The younger generation are so involved in their lives.

Most of the members are retired fireman’s wives,” she said.

“I would like to have the younger wives involved. That would be a blessing,” she added.

Active members are: Patsy Baker, president, Helen Hlavaty, secretary/treasurer, Denise Urbanovsky, Beverly Hensley, Virgie Klatt, Amanda Klatt, Teresa Pierce, Jan Charbula, Sharon Nielsen, Molly Mobley, Joann Olsovsky and Leanna Shimek, an associate member.

NORTHSIDE EDUCATION CENTER

110 YEARS OF SERVICE

For more information, call 979-543-6750.

Sparky’s fire safety tips educate EC kids

By MELONY OVERTON reporter@leader-news.com

A symbol of fire prevention education in the United States since 1951, Sparky the Fire Dog has gone from a cartoon to a computer-animated character to a costumed mascot like the one who represents the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department.

ECVFD’s current Sparky, Rebecca “Mickey” Rosales, has played other integral roles within the department as a one-time member of the women’s auxiliary and part-time emergency medical technician, to the current Explorer post advisor and firefighter for five years.

Rosales, who works at DaVita El Campo Dialysis, has donned the Dalmatian suit for 16 years.

She has loved every minute

of it, even though she does not do as much on the fire prevention side like in years past.

“I wish I could do more. Being involved in fire prevention, I enjoyed going to the schools and seeing the joy on the kids’ faces,” Rosales said.

“It helps to educate the community, and reduce house fires by educating the children,” she added.

Sparky does make the rounds to the local schools and daycares during National Fire Prevention Week, the busiest time of year for Rosales.

“We talk to the kids about fire prevention and obeying the laws and rules of fire safety.

We educate them on what to do in case of an emergency, how to dial 911, as well as try to get their families to be safe as well,” she said.

Frank Olsovsky, fire fighter (See ROSALES, Page 24)

Posing With Sparky Above, Sparky the Fire Dog with the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department poses with from left, Thomas Allen and Zayden Anderson, both of El Campo, during Prairie Days in October. At right, Sparky met more friends in Laniha Young, left, and Larryanna Cunningham, both of El Campo, while spreading fire prevention education at Prairie Days.

The department mascot makes appearances at local events, schools and upon request.

L-N Photos by Melony Overton

EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 110 YEARS OF SERVICE

23

—Rosales relishes role as dept. mascot

(Continued from Page 23) and chairman of the department’s fire prevention committee, said the activities work.

“Kids teach their parents.

They tell their parents they need smoke detectors and how to maintain them,” he said. “In the past, we’ve had kids in the class who have seen something and reported it. They do learn.”

National Fire Prevention Week was Oct. 9-15 this year.

Rosales also made an appearance at Prairie Days in October handing out coloring books to the children as well as hugs and posing for photos. Small children don’t always know what to make of this “dog” that walks upright and wears a fireman’s uniform and helmet, Rosales said.

“Most of them get excited,

“I will continue to be Sparky until someone else wants to do it,”

– Mickey Rosales run up and shake my hand.

Some know my name. The younger ones are skittish and they may cry no matter what you try to do.”

In addition to the schools, Sparky also makes an appearance during the city’s Christmas parade in December, and

any event he is invited to like a Boy Scout or Girl Scout event, for example.

“He will come and visit and talk about fire prevention,” Rosales said.

All of her experience within the department led Rosales to play the part of mascot and it also encouraged her to become a firefighter.

“I had been around it a few years with my husband (Louis, now a retired firefighter) and in the auxiliary and as Sparky. When the census started dropping, where we once had 60 firemen, and it dropped to 40, I wanted to come and volunteer to build morale,” she said.

Rosales was the only female firefighter at the time until Charlene Viktorin joined the department.

“I wanted to help our community. I love it,” Rosales

Trainee

said.

It’s not a bad thing to be treated like one of the guys, she added.

“I get along with all of them pretty well. Being in there so long, I know everybody.”

Sparky is the part Rosales plans to keep playing. These days, it takes more to be Sparky than just stepping into a costume.

“I usually have fill-ins if I can’t be there. For five years now, our Sparky costume has been mechanical. He talks.

His eyes blink and his mouth moves. Not everyone knows how to operate the suit. Fillins just walk around in it.”

It seems the part of making Sparky a “real” fire dog will belong to Rosales for years to come.

“I will continue to be Sparky until someone else wants to do it.”

Trainee

Manuel Escamilla

Jonathan Hogan

My first National Night Out was one to not forget, being able to meet people and letting the kids climb on trucks and dress up in gear. It was the best.

Self Contained Breathing Apparatus and Search Training at the fire field is a memory of mine. Being able to work and train around firefighters that are devoted to the department.

2 months of service Wood Group

Proud supporters of our Fire Department!

Wishing you a happy anniversary!

201 S. Mechanic 979-543-9600 24 EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

110 YEARS OF SERVICE

3 months of service El Campo EMS

Getting Youth Involved From left Frank Olsovsky, firefighter and chairman of the ECVFD Fire Prevention Committee. Explorer Post 2887 member Fabian Martinez, Explorer Justin Baros, Rebecca “Mickey” Morales, a firefighter as Sparky the Fire Dog, and firefighter Nick Chapa pose for a picture. As Explorer Post advisor for 12 years, Morales has been instrumental in getting local and area youth interested in fire and emergency medical service training and jobs.

Contributed Photo

Post offers teens look at fire, EMS services

By MELONY OVERTON reporter@leader-news.com

El Campo and Louise youth interested in the inner workings of a fire and an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department have participated in the El Campo Fire & EMS Explorer Post 2887 for 25 years.

Two posts have dwindled down to one since it began in 1993 Post advisor Rebecca “Mickey” Rosales, an El Campo Volunteer Fire Department firefighter, has kept the post going with a group of about nine youth ages 14 to 18 years old, or high school age.

The youth learn about what it takes to be a part of EMS and fire departments.

Initially, the posts began with firefighters’ children, but now Explorers attend El Campo and Louise schools.

“A lot of our firefighters’ children have gotten older, and some kids are too young to get in or too old to get in,” Rosales said.

“The newer generation of firefighters, their kids are not old enough to get in yet,” Ro-

Following In Her Footsteps Marissa Barron, El Campo Fire & EMS Explorer Post 2887 member, at left, wears gear similar to that of El Campo Volunteer Firefighter Rebecca “Mickey” Rosales, at right.

Contributed Photos sales added.

Post members can remain active until they are 21 years old, Rosales said, but that is not the norm.

“When they are 18, they start getting jobs and they move on. We usually get a new

set in and the average age is 16 or 17,” added Rosales, who has been the post advisor 12 years.

In the beginning, the two posts totaled 20 youth, she said.

“Now we compete with school and extracurricular

activities, and when they get jobs, they are not able to make meetings,” she said.

Explorers are part of a worksite-based program of Learning For Life, a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America, for young men and women.

Explorer units called “posts” usually have a focus on a single career field, such as police, fire/rescue, health, law, aviation, engineering or the like.

A post may be sponsored by a government or a business entity.

“They learn about the fire side and the EMS side. They can do ride alongs and stay for drills and meetings,” Rosales said.

“The children learn about a career in EMS or the fire department for later on in life.

They learn about safety and helping the community in different areas,” she added.

The post keeps youth active within their community, gives them something to do and keeps them out of trouble.

Most importantly, membership educates youth about fire safety, Rosales added.

“They learn about these

EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 110 YEARS OF SERVICE

25

—Explorers experience many adventures

(Continued from Page 25) jobs. Usually, they will be more prone to go to one side or the other like the fire side or the EMS side.”

Many go on to do the (El Campo) Police Department’s Explorers, too.”

Adventurous EMS things Explorers get to do include touring the ambulance bays and riding along in an ambulance.

On the fire side, they get to gear up like the firefighters do to go through the burn house at the training field guided the way through by firefighters, practice rescue techniques during drill nights, tour the ambulance bays, help firemen clean up at the station and help with fundraisers.

To join, pick up an application at the fire station, 1011 W. Loop.

Bring the application to the

Explorer Marissa Barron monthly meeting.

Members attend a monthly meeting and are required to attend one of three firemen drills once a month to remain a member.

The initial fee to join is $11.

The department pays for the rest of the yearly dues.

“Come to your first meeting and get on board,” Rosales said.

Explorer meetings are at 6 p.m., an hour before the fire

Firefighter

meeting, the first Tuesday of the month.

Drills are at 7 p.m. the first three Mondays of the month at the training field behind Friendship Park off North Wharton Street.

Firefighter

Randy Rivera

Thurman Kirby

4 years of service City of El Campo EMS

15 years of service El Campo Walmart

I have been with the El Campo VFD for 5 years, prior to that Glen Flora VFD for 5, Aldine VFD for 1 1/2 and the El Campo VFD for 3 years. The Staff brothers inspired me to join.

The motivation of the department and how quick we can respond to the station. Helping the city of El Campo and Wharton County when needed are a truly unique experience.

Happy 110th Anniversary!

Proud Supporters!

Thank you for all you do for the community!

2507 West Loop • EC 979-543-7374 geneswrecker.com 26 EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

110 YEARS OF SERVICE

1202 N. Mechanic St. El Campo, TX 77437

979-543-3200

Some Face The Flames...

But it takes help behind the lines

By SHANNON CRABTREE publisher@leader-news.com

El Campo’s firefighting volunteers work as a team to help protect the public’s property, provide rescue when needed or to just be there when a helping hand is needed, but they can’t do it alone.

Keeping trucks running and equipment operational takes in excess of ..... each year. The city provides the station from which the department operates as well as a large portion of operational funding from pension plans for long-term firemen to oil, gas and diesel for the trucks.

It’s worth it, El Campo Mayor Randy Collins said.

“This community is very lucky to have had such a fine group of active and retired individuals who have unselfishly served and provided the best in fire protection services for this city and the outlying areas for the last 110 years,” he said. “As mayor representing the City Council and the citizens of the City of El Campo it is my pleasure to say thank you and congratulations for the excellent work to all the men and women that have served in some compacity over the years with the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department.”

The ECVFD charter calls for 60 members and a decade or two ago, there was a waiting list. Now, about 40 are in the department with varying levels of participation.

“Now days there’s an issue with volunteerism. Numbers have decreased. The numbers to volunteer for anything has decreased, but firefighting has been hit the hardest,” El Campo Volunteer Fire Chief Jimmy George Jr. said.

Why? Because you don’t simply climb into a set of turnout gear, grab a hose and become the hero who saves the baby on day one.

EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 110 YEARS OF SERVICE

27

Part of the volunteer’s ability to respond is businesses letting their employees answer calls during the work hours. “I think it’s pretty good (employer cooperation), but not as good as it was. Businesses need to have that employee,” George said, “But our businesses are very compliant.”

Now, when dispatchers summon volunteers, they race to the station, a part of the Public Safety Headquarters on the West Loop, donning protective gear and hopping into vehicles inside its bays.

The city has paid for some of the suppression vehicles – most notably the aerial ladder truck – as well as the three command vehicles.

The station itself is designed to service the department’s needs for the next 40 years.

There’s office space and blank areas which could be used for equipment or bunks – whichever is needed in the future.

There’s a cost to the city and its taxpayers, but savings more than equals that

cost, City Manager Mindi Snyder said.

“We are very blessed in this community to have the extremely committed service of the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department. They save people and property in the line of duty and they saved tax dollars for homeowners as we would have to pay a significant amount to provide a full-time paid fire department and we have a lower ISO rating that saves on insurance thanks to their efforts,” she said.

The department’s success at protecting public property, the chief said, is it’s willingness to learn and adapt.

In service to the city of El Campo and the residents of West Wharton County when the alarms ring out during regular business hours or in the dead of night, the department has transformed mightily from the “surround and drown” philosophies of earlier years.

“The way we attack fires has changed,” he said.

The first goal, however, is always safety – getting the volunteer firefighter home to loved ones no matter what they face.

Because of support from the public and taxing entities from the city to state grants, they have the equipment and training to give volunteers protection as they answer the calls for help.

Happy 110th Anniversary!

Mikeska’s Bar-B-Q Lieutenant

Firefighter

Justin Priesmeyer

Juan Rubio

8 years of service Penner Electric

5 years of service Wharton County Electric Co-op

My uncle Greg Pasak got me to join the Explorers when I was 13 years old.

Helping others and the community is a unique experience.

My most vivid memory of my service to the El Campo VFD was the barn fire in Danevang.

Firefighter

We salute the El Campo Fire Department on 110 Years of Commitment & Service.

1 year of service South Texas Landforming

Proud employer of retired, past and current firefighters: James Pierce, Lloyd Klatt, Jackson Motal & John Arnold.

Andrew McKinley The night that I was voted in sticks out the most. Finally my hard work paid off. However, each call brings new memories and lessons.

They all stick with you.

28 EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

-Penner Electric Inc.

COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SERVICE

24 HOUR SERVICE

FREE ESTIMATES EL CAMPO • LIC# 00019489 INC.

110 YEARS OF SERVICE

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL

979-543-6659

Firefighter

Cody Mobley 4 years of service Self-Employed

Most vivid memory: The first call I went on was a major motor vehicle and although I didn’t have gear to help, I did what I could. It was an experience I will never forget and still think about the entire scene every time I drive by.

SOUTH TEXAS OIL & DISTRIBUTING

Quality & Service Since 1986

Lubricants • Chemicals • Filters • DEF

Firefighter

Mark Limones 10 years of service Aaron’s

Most vivid memory: When we have fundraisers we all come together to help and make it fun. Helping out other towns when needed and being able to meet other firefighters when we go to fire school.

409 W. Loop, El Campo, Texas

(979) 543-1791

EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 110 YEARS OF SERVICE

29

OCK

mpo, TX

r Entry

10 • 10x15 • 10x30

Firemen find support from county taxpayers Wharton County doesn’t have any paid firefighters, but each taxpayer supports them via Emergency Services District No. 1.

Voter approved, it levies a five-cent per $100 tax on property county wide, one-cent lower than its cap.

This year, the ESD distributed $1.5 million to the county’s eight VFDs. El Campo and Wharton VFDs get the most based on coverage area and calls volume. Another $100,000 has been held in reserve for emergencies.

“If it wasn’t for the ESD, they wouldn’t have the equipment they need.

It’s all due to the taxpayers,” said Happy Board Secretary Patrick Hlavaty, a retired El Campo department member.

The Wharton County group, formed in 1957 under state fire district legislation, was the first of its kind in Texas, spearheaded by former El Campo fireman Les Collins.

“When I joined in 1980, we didn’t have individual bunker gear and books. It was kind of like first come, first serve.

We’ve come a long way in protection,” Hlavaty said.

The department’s training field on North Wharton Street behind Friendship Park was constructed thanks to those tax dollars which have also been used to fund equipment and fire-suppression apparatus.

President William “Bubba” Wilcox, Bill Morin, Hlavaty, Richard Chomout and Ernest “Spider” Macha make up the current ESD board which meets monthly to discuss fire department needs and concerns.

– By SHANNON CRABTREE

Patrick Hlavaty, left, and William “Bubba” Wilcox

Firefighter

Travis Clark

11 years of service Shoppa’s Farm Supply Having the capability to be able to save a life and help someone when others can’t is truly a unique experience.

110th Anniversary!

612 Merchant St., EC. 979-543-3681

Treasurer

Firefighter

Bryce Skow

J. Paul Appling, Jr.

I joined because: I have lived in El Campo my whole life and decided this would be the best way to give back to my community.

There are a lot of vivid memories, some very good and some very bad. I guess what sticks in my mind the most is the teamwork I see, and am a part of, when in really intense situations, especially when children rescue is involved.

23 years of service Del Papa Distributing

2 years of service United Ag

Thank you for your service!

CONGRATULATIONS ON ort S e ag its 110 YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE TO OUR Un

5434731

RICE BELT WAREHOUSE, INC. www.ricebelt.com • 979-543-6221

30 EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

STOR - A - WAY

911 W. Jackson• El Campo, TX

979-543-4731 • Climatized Storage • Constant Temperature

110 YEARS OF SERVICE

• No Humidity/ Sweating • Locked Gates 5x8 • 10x10 • 10x20

COMMUNITY.

STOP - N - LOCK

402 W. Monseratte• El Campo, TX

979-543-4731 • Security Lights • Electricity • Monthly Rentals • Locked Gates

• 24-Hour Entry 5x10 • 10x10 • 10x15 10x20 • 10x30

We’re proud to honor all of El Campo’s past, retired and present volunteer firemen for their courageous efforts and dedicated service.

RETIRED VOLUNTEERS: Top (l-r): Ben Altenhoff, James Pierce, Mark Sablatura, Randy Hildebrand and Gary Charbula Bottom (l-r): Albert Staff, Johnny Staff, Jimmy George Sr., Lloyd Klatt, Russell Dettling, Jerry Socha, Carl Hunter, David Saucedo, Eugene Bustamante, Doug Seaman, Philip Urbanovsky, Matthew Hildebrand and Patrick Hlavaty NOT PICTURED: Steve Appling, Alan Beery, Ronnie Brown, Mark Collins, Jerry Hensley, Billy Hodges, Larry Livanec, Pete Martin, George McKelvy, Bennie Novak, Jack Roberts, Steven Socha, Robert Staff, Art Weiss, Dwayne Klatt, Gerald Ripple and Frankie Becak

Bus: (979) 543-6211 Fax: (979) 543-9762 1-800-933-2058

“You’ll Find It At Carquest Where Our Customers & Service are #1” Gary & Jan Charbula 214 N. Mechanic Owners El Campo, TX 77437

"Your Friend In The Tire Business"

Rice Farmers Coop 106 N. Market El Campo, TX 77437 (979) 543-4372• 1-800-382-3422

EL CAMPO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 110 YEARS OF SERVICE

31

Proud supplier of fire apparatus to the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 110 YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

14233 Interdrive West Houston, Texas 77032 800-784-6806 www.martinapparatus.com

“What makes firefighters courageous in my eyes isn’t what they do day in and day out, it’s what they are willing to do at any given moment.”

- Frank Viscuso

Happy 110th Anniversary!

Thank you Firefighters.