HomeMy WebLinkAbout25th Anniversary CSFD History Book
Editorial Advisors:
Personnel Photographs:
Design and Typography:
Cover Design and Graphics:
CSFD Historian:
CSFD archival researchers:
Advertising:
Susan Sharp and Mary Morse
Quick as a Flash Photography
Mary Morse and Tim Hamff
Tim Hamff and Lee Gillum
Robert MFG Rhodes
Douglas Amdt, Morgan Cook, Paul Gunnels, Maggie McGraw, David Moore,
Paul Powell, Fred Rapczyk, Bobby Stanford
Larry Wentrcek and Tom Thraen
Published by:
College Station Firefighters Association
College Station, Texas 77840
(409) 7643700
Copyright:
All Rights Reserved
Printed by:
Library of Congress Card: 2010-911
Page Opposite:
Artwork courtesy:
Benjamin
I've worked on this book for those who stood by me
master stream onto one of three fully involved apartment units in the nearly completed Walden Pond Apartment
complex in College Station on Friday, July 13, 1984. Da¥id ~l/~ite
Drawing by
Pos[
ION
U8
May 1, 1996
Chief Bill Kennedy
and Members of the
College Station Fire Department
Congratulations on the frrst 25 years
changed from the day the city
City of College Station. From this
volunteers the Department has become
just a fire fighting service.
medical service, safety inspection,
the personnel of the Department are
We are grateful for the professionalism
rescue and EMS services you
College Station residents have access
We are also proud of the part you play ir
frre safety. The work you did to construct
We appreciate the time you
and community gatherings. It is
You, as members of the
College Station a first class
residents of College Station join me
Sincerely,
Mayor
Station. Much has
protection for the
fire fighters serving as
much more than
emergency
fire protection. In addition,
community.
Department. The fire,
dedication,
the children, about
this important role.
childcare facilities,
important role.
'or role in making
I am sure all the
good work.
r(:::ITY OF COLLEGE STATION
~I~~ OFFICE OF THE CiTY MANAGER
POST OFFICE BOX ~J60 II0~ T~XA~ AVENUE
C(N.LEG~ STATION. T~XAS ~'~2-9960
(409) 7~3510
To th~ Colle~ Station Fn~ Fighter:
I apprcciatc thc opportunity to publicly express my thanks to thc members of thc Colic*go
S,ation Fire Dcparbno~ both past and prcseat. Through your hard work and ~itmont to
cxcc~cc tho rcsidcms and visitors to our city enjoy a safo cavironmcat in which to livc and work.
m~n and womeaa of this dcpartmont is beyond rcproack I take great pleasure in scnfing thc fire
depaztmcnt as your city manager. My hope is to confim~ watching thc dcpartm~t grow in
knowledge and professionalism. I am confidcat that thc traditions and honor ofth~ tiro service will
lac upheld by the fimu~ offiegrs and porsonncl of this organization and thc City of College St~on
will bc proud of its Fire Department.
Pi~t my best wishes for your continued s~access and no, ~er fo~ that as you
s~ccecd as an individual, th~ I:~p~ also succe~.
/"CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the College Station Firefighters:
As Fire Chief of the College Station Fire Department it is.my privilege to address you
during the twenty fi.~ anniversary of our organization. As spokesman for the four Fire Chiefs
who have served this department the last twenty five years I salute you and express our
appreciation for your dedicated service.
The profession of"firefighter" has undergone dramatic changes, both in the area of fire
ground duties and in the level of knowledge required to manage the ever cleaning hazards of our
community. College Station Firefighters have met the requiremenls of the job and have exceeded
normal standards to set a new measure of q,~ality for furore firefighters.
The task of mitigating the effects of adversity is difficult in large communities. However,
the men and women of the College Station Fire Department manage these same adversities with a
vastly smaller force. The ability to prevent catastrophic events, minimize the effects of nalaaal
ca]amities, and take the heat when there are no other resources available sets the College Station
firefighter above the average.
As available resources continue to diminish in our communities fire pemomael will have to
work smarter to meet the challenges. With one of the countries largest Universities as the core of
our community and our Cit~ located in the path of future development, College Station is postured
for substantial growth. The opportunity to serve as a College Station Firefighter over the next
twenty five years will be far from boring.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Chief. I ask that yon commit yourself to the
service of your neighbors as proud members of the College Station Fire Department, and I as God
to bless you and keep you safe.
Fraternally Yours,
Fire Chief
liege
Station Fire Department
Former Fire Chiefs
Elwood F. '%Voody Sevlnson
April 1970 - October 1973
Douglas W. Landua
October 1973 - April 1990
Richard Orange
September 1990 - July 1992
College
Former Members 1970- 1995
Station Fire Department
Stewart Acosta Lionel Benavides Richard Brown John R Cochrane Allen Dodson Larry D Farley Michael Gray
Richard D Akin Leonard L Benford Benjamin Bryan Julie Collins Glen Dowell Gus Farmer Larry Grubbs
Gene Allen Chris L Bibeau Timothy J Bulgerin Benton Crawford Shawn K Dunham Donald Fisher Joseph Guidry
Alvin Andrus Leonard C Bishop Richard Bunte James Creager Douglas Earnest Joseph Fisher Kit R Hickman
Paul Avera Lynn Bizzell John Campbell Chris Cyxewski Andre Economedes Joseph Foster Kenneth L Higgins
Robert Baker Charles W Boling Robert A Carlton Chris Dale Garnet Eimann Clifford Garnett Charles E Hodges
Richard Baldwin Richard K Boone Gary Carpenter Harry L Davis Gilbert Eimann Ronald Garrison Mark T Hoeller
Terry Barnet Robert A Bordeau George Carrol Timothy Dedear Glenn Eimann Fletcher German Jr Richard Holbert
John Baarrie Mike Bourque Dennis Chevalier Gary D Dehavan John Ellen Stevan Godby Roger Holder
Mary Back Dorothy Brooks James M Clay Charles Dobrovolny Ron J Epps James Golden Ricky G Homeyer
Fred Honneycutt Rubert Krupa Alfred Miller Willie Paterson David Rosier Timothy Smith Warren Weilder
Dayton Hosteller Johnnie Kuder Jr Andy Mitchell Bernie Phipps Maxie Ross Jr David Sneed David Wentrcek
Edward Hubacek Douglas Landua Christofer Moffatt Joseph Porter Jeffrey Rowe David R Sneed Steven Werlz
George Huebner III Richard Lee Barbara Montgomery Weldon Price James Saxon James Spdnger Benjamin West
James Humpdes Anthony Lincoln Michael Mooney Dale Prince William Schaer Wayne Stark Kevin Williams
David D Ilger Steven Lind Donald Morris Michael Putter Bobbin Schellhous Thomas Stone Mark Wisdom
Billy Izquierdo Larry Lisbenbe Gary Munion Dwight Babe Raymond Schultz James Summers John Womack
Kenneth Jarrell Jack Madeley Ray Neblett James Redman Lars Sharpe Albin Swanson Bruce Woods
Guy Johnson Craig Mangham Buren Noey Leroy Reed George Sheldon David Tankersiey Robert W right
Jesse Johnson Gary Martin Larry Orsak Gustav Reinhardt Sammie Shepard Brian Tanner Chades Yeager
Gary Karnavas Pat McAuliff Ray Owens Don Richardson Frank Simonetti James Thibodeaux Donald Yeager
Christopher Kellen Michael McBride Gregory Panzino William Riley Jerry Since Benjamin Walker Frank Zepeda
Charles Kimble Frankie McLewis Billy Parker John Rinard John Smith Loss Warlick
David Krause Steven Meinecke Jack Perryman Susan Binn Pearl Smith Bruce Watson
10
From Humble Beginnings:
The College Station Fire Department
October 7, 1995, current and former members of the College Station Fire Department participated in a
and reunion commemorating 25 years of dedicated service to the citizens of College Station. The ceremonies recognized
beginnings of College Station's full-time fire department, a consequence of community leaders' determined efforts to
the City of College Station as a self-sufficient municipality. The following is a brief history of the events that led up to
event, and is dedicated to all those, both living and dead, who contributed to the creation and development of the
Station Fire Department.
College Station, Texas A&M, and the Fireman's Training School
College Station, a community that evolved from the 1876 founding of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of
is located four miles south of Bryan in Brazos County. A&M College (now Texas A&M University) was the first
institution of higher learning in the State of Texas.
On February 7, 1877, the United States Postal Service gave the name of College Station to the developing community
surrounding the campus. Fire protection services for A&M campus and the
community were provided by cadets living in Milner Hall. Limited training and
equipment often hampered the efforts of the cadets in providing effective fire
protection services.
Several destructive and costly fires on the college campus and in the
surrounding community emphasized the n~ for better-trained and equipped
firefighters. November 10, 1911, brought destruction to the college's old mess hall
and an early morning fire gutted the college's Old Main Building on May 27, 1912.
Another devastating fire occurred December 5, 1920, when the Mechanical
shell was all that remained Engineering shops were destroyed.
gutted the nearly 65-year-old As a result of the many fires both on and off campus, state legislators
Building on the Texas A&M authorized A&M College to begin a Fireman's Training School. The first course
~ in 1912. TAMUArchives offered by the fire school was a short course, in the summer of 1930, designed to
introduce the most current and up to date fire fighting techniques to firefighters from
the state. Directed by Dr. H.R. Brayton, a professor of inorganic chemistry, the course taught 196 firefighters the latest
in municipal fire fighting techniques. Called the "Training School for Texas Firemen," the class was a huge success
college was authorized to offer the fire school annually.
The second Fireman's Training School began on April 27, 1931. The school was taught by the A&M Chemistry
in cooperation with the Bryan Fire Department and was attended by 315 firefighters. Thus began the long,
operation of the Texas A&M Fire Protection Training Division.
the Thirteenth Annual School for Firemen A&M College of Texas.
11
The Texas A&M College Fire Department
On May 27, 1931, A&M's campus newspaper, T~e Battalion, announced tentative plans "calling for new equipment to
be under the care of the College, giving it adequate fire-fighting equipment." Several more major fires on campUS ~d in the
surrounding community occurred before delivery of the newly funded apparatus. DelaYs Of .~most a year caused ~Battalion
to publish a series of critical editorials calling for quicker action in delivery of fire apparatus.
On June 21, 1932, the first of three fire trucks finally arrived at A&M. This first truck was a 1928 ~ck, triple
combination pumper, carrying 750 gallons of water. This engine is now known as "Old Mack." Another pumper and a ladder
truck were scheduled for delivery in July 1932. The arrival of the "new fire trucks" brought excitement and high expectations to
the many volunteers charged with providing fire protection.
Training primarily A&M physical
plant employee volunteers and studen, ts,
A&M organized the Texas A&M College
Fire Department. Once properly trained and
qualified in fn'e suppression, employees
became eligible for college furnished
housing. Housing provided was situated in a
neighborhood at the northeast section of the
traffic circle then located at University Drive <:~
and South College Avenue. This area
became known as '~2andy Hill" or
'Fireman's Hill." Firemen were notified of
an emergency by party-line phones Placed in
their homes.
The rapid growth and development of A&M College and the surrounding community during the early 1930s created
many public concerns and issues. Community fire safety and the enforcement of building codes, electrical codes, ~d equipment
installation were among the concerns that only a local government could address. In 1938, these concerns perSU~ed residents
to incorporate their community into the City of College Station.
After the incorporation, the A&M Board of Directors authorized College Station to purchase, for an annual fee, the
services of Texas A&M College Fire Department to provide fire protection to the newly incorporated city. The agreement
provided residents with affordable fire protection and code enforcement.
As city officials continued developing public services during the 1940s and 1950s, fire protection services continued to
be purchased from the Texas A&M College Fire Department. Paying insurance fees for pers,onnel and equipmenti s~ies and
charges incurred during response, plus tuition for one firefighter to attend the Texas Fireman s Training Sch°°l ~fiuaily Was a
cost-effective arrangement for the city.
An example of the City's fire protection expenditures from an article in the June 9, 1956, issue of The Battalion
indicates the following costs:
Budget Actual
~Rent on fire truck paid to A&M College $ 650.00 $ 450,00
Burning and cutting grass 4,850.00 4,939i04
Fi remen 600.00 587i'00
Insurance on trucks and men 400.00 432180
Hydrants & water services 50.00 50.00
Fireman's Training Sch~'ol 150.00 150,00
The Plans for a City Fire Department
The 1960s led to an increased population in College Station and an unexpected demand for expanded city services. The
for increased services motivated city leaders to explore alternatives to finance several long .awaited capital improvement
within their growing community. In late 1966, a special bond election finanCed the urgently needed overhaul of the
city's water supply system. By late 1968 the completion of a two-million gallon water storage tank, a new one million gallon
a new pumping station, and thirteen miles of new or improved water lines was in place.
The approval of a 1967 special bond election allowed for a 1969 groundbreaking ceremony for a much-needed City
complex and combination fire and police station, with equipment to start a full-time city fire department. The buildings
to be located on property owned by the city between Francis and Gilchrist Streets with frontage on Highway 6.
In late 1968, the City Council awarded the bid for the City of College Station's first fire trucks to the Houston Fire
Company for two custom, white American LaFrance, 750 GPM, triple-combination pumpers. Delivery was expected
1970.
Mayor D. A. "Andy" Anderson proposed to
Council that College Station obtain the new
Emergency phone number 911 for the
Upon Council's adoption of Mayor
proposal in January 1970, the City of
Station became one of the first cities in
to implement the use of the 911 Emergency
System.
The first City Council meeting held in the
City Hall building occurred on March 9, 1970.
ceremonies for City Hall and the Fire
g were held March 21, 1970.
In 1970, the citizens had a new fire station
two new American LaFrance pumpers, yet they
depended on the fire fighting services of the
A&M University Fire Department (A&M
ed to Texas A&M University in 1963).
to hire full-time personnel to assume more
fire fighting duties, Mayor Anderson said,
dependence on A&M should come to a close
we have been nurtured by A&M and we are A circa 1960 aerial view of College Station's traffic circle with
appreciative." "Fireman's Hill" in the lower right corner and Texas A&M College[
City and university officials wanted a above thecircle. Commercial lmages
gradual transfer of all fire fighting activities to the
fire department before the university closed its
department. A significant step in the transfer of services came in April 1970 when College Station hired Texas A&M
, Fire Marshall, Elwood F. "Woody" Sevison, as the first Fire Chief of the College Station Fire Department.
In July 1970, former Bryan firefighter Harry L. Davis was hired as the first full-time paid firefighier for the City of
Station Fire Department. While the city and Texas A&M worked to finalize a mutual aid agreement, the Texas A&M
(TAMU) Fire Department continued to respond to city fire and emergency calls.
· Davis worked from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. each day. The city fire station and Davis' residence were connected to the
Fire Department party line. Davis would respond to the emergency call with one of the city's LaFrance pumpers. Often
Davis would handle the situation until the university's fire department could arrive with additional equipment and
Late 1971 brought about the completion of a comprehensive mutual aid agreement between the City of College Station
The agreement stated that no more than fifty percent of the College Station Fire Department would
comprised of Texas A&M volunteer firefighters, College Station would have access to Texas A&M fire equipment, College
Station would provide protective clothing for TAMU volunteers, and College Station Fire Department (CSFD) would assume
fire protection on Texas A&M campus. The first mutual aid agreement was initiated and signed by Fire Chief
Sevison and TAMU Fire Marshal Doug Landua. This agreement reversed a 33-year tradition of TAMU providing fire
protection services to the citizens of College Station.
13
"Those were the Days. o. "
Upper left: TAMU's 1st Fire Pumper, a 1928 Mack.
Upper right: Unidentified firemen load hose onto the back of a pumper.
Below: Alumni of the Texas Fireman's Training School.
14
Timeline
1970
During most of 1970, CSFD staffing consisted primarily of a full-time fire chief and one full-time firefighter with the majority
of the city's fire suppression efforts still being supplied by the Texas A&M University Fire Department. In April, city officials
named Texas A&M University Fire Marshall Elwood F. '%Voody" Sevison as the first Fire Chief of the College Station Fire
Department. On July 20, former City of Bryan firefighter Harry L. Davis started as CSFD's first full-time firefighter.
MARCH 3 Fire drill, all TAMU Fire Department firemen reported to the City of College Station's new fire station to receive
orientation on the new trucks and equipment and loading hose on trucks.
APRIL 6 Fire Drill, took all equipment and men to Fireman's Training School (FTS), used the City of College Station's new
pumper, set the house on fire, used the high pressure booster lines and extinguished the fire.
JULY27 Fire at 1217 Haines, used gasoline too close to a water heater. Fire was out on arrival. Units returned to station in
good order. (Note: This is the first fire report written under a CSFD letterhead. All fire reports up until this run were written
and kept under TAMU Fire Department letterhead.)
NOVEMBER 24 Units stand by for annual Aggie Bonfire, Duncan Drill Field (TAMU).
JULY 1
JULY 1
house.
OCTOBER 5
OCTOBER 14
OCTOBER 29
1971
Millican store had burned to the ground by time CSFD arrived at FM 2154 and FM 159.
Children playing with matches started fire in a bedroom at 1106 Phoenix, causing extensive smoke damage to the
Barn fire at FM 60 by Winn's Grocery. Electrical short set hay afire, destroying the barn and its contents.
Fire watch standby at tents during Circus performance at FM 2818.
Emergency landing of a Davis Airline's twin engine aircraft experiencing engine problems. The plane landed
safely at Easterwood Airport.
1972
JANUARY 17 Electrical burning smell at 606 Jersey.
Investigation revealed reported odor to be emanating from a
skunk.
FEBRUARY 16 Explosion at the new chilled-water plant at
the TAMU Physical Plant. After flanunable petroleum naphtha
and hexane were poured in same sink, a welder's spark fell in
sink drain and ignited liquid vapors.
MARCH 16 Trailer house fire on Wellborn Road. Units
arrived to find the trailer to be two-thirds consumed by fire as
David White, a CSFD volunteer firefighter, fought the fire with
a garden hose. White had ~eady rescued a woman from a
burning shed, after for help.
15
OCTOBER 18 Overturned butane gas tractor-trailer transport at FM 2818 and Highway 6. CSFD checked for leaks (finding
none), and maintained safe zone until tanker was off-loaded and removed.
NOVEMBER 13 Twenty minutes after midnight, CSFD fire units responded to reports of a tornado touching down in the
Krenek Tap Mobile Home Park on Krenek Tap Road on the east side of the city. The tornado had formed near FM 60 West,
traveled east / northeast, passing over the middle of College Station's residential area, doing minimal damage until touching
down in the mobile home park, where it destroyed eight homes, damaged ten others and injured seven park residents.
1973
In late 1972 and 1973, CSFD staffing increased to six full-time on-duty firefighters, ,rn~ning three 24-hours-on and 48-hours-off
shifts with two full-time firefighters on duty per shift. They supplemented additional manpower requirements with 12 to 15
former University Fire Department volunteers working as paid-call, CSFD firefighters. By mid-1973, a city-hired consulting f'n'm
recommended CSFD use radio notification to alert its off-duty and paid-call personnel when required, instead of using the time-
consuming and easily tied-up telephone notification system. The department soon acquired the Plectron receiver notification
system.
APRIL 7 12:15 A.M. fire in apartment No. 2 at the Plantation Oaks Apartments. Evidence at the scene convinced Chief
Sevison the cause of was of an electrical origin, which the occupant's father at first disagreed with. The documentation of the
evidence was a very simplistic type.
JUNE 6 Garage fire with vehicle inside on fire on Agronomy Road near Veterinary School (TAMU) . Because reporting
person's telephone was out of order, she drove to the fire station to personally report the fire.
OCTOBER 1 1962 A&M Consolidated High School graduate
and Texas A&M University Fire Marshall, Douglas Landua,
assumed command of the College Station Fire Department as
Fire Chief. CSFD's future development and progress over the
next 18 years would be guided and influenced by him.
NOVEMBER 8 Washing machine fire at 1824 Shadowwood.
Occupant poured gasoline into the washing machine to clean
oily clothes, and the machine ignited the gasoline vapors. The
17-year-old male received first-degree burns to his face and was
taken to St. Joseph' s Hospital by private vehicle.
DECEMBER 13 Fire and explosion at the TAMU power
plant, west of the cooling tower. Two welders were seriously
burned when diesel vapors ignited in the 150,000-gallon
underground diesel storage tank they were repairing. One
person received second and third degree burns over 25% of his
body, the other received fatal second- and third- degree bums
over 100% of his body.
DECEMBER 18 Fire in the apartment house at 402 Boyett
Street. CSFD's notification was severely delayed as the person
who reported the fire first called the manager who lived across town and came to the Boyett Street house to discover a burning
odor. Turning the electrical power off, he was just in time to witness all of the house windows blow out. He then called the fire
department. The major pre-bum, which occurred before CSFD notification, left ten people homeless.
16
1974
of 1974, Chief Landua increased CSFD's personnel from six to eleven full-time firefighters, still supplementing
with seventeen paid-call firefighters.
11 Fire at Fowler Hall, Dorm 15 Room 313. A home made model rocket went through the window of Room 313, with
e to window. The rocket was propelled by a blasting cap.
13 Trailer house fire on Deer Park Road on Highway 6 South. Booster tank water from three units was used to
fire.
.20 A 1:19 A.M. trailer home fire at Oak Forest Trailer Park, Lot number 12. Crews found the entire trailer involved
Lonnie Stanley not at home. Mr. Stanley had departed at 11:00 P.M. to_go fishing at Lake Livingston.
Retiring CSFD and TAMUFD firefighters Loss R. Warlick, Garnet E. Eimann, James C. Redman, and Gilbert B.
were recognized and honored for their combined 90 years of fire-fighting service to the community of College Station.
a barbecue meal, and College Station's City Manager North Bardell presented city awards at Hensel Park. As the
also Chief Landua's 30th birthday, he was duly and appropriately soaked with water from a charged hand line.
19 Boxcar fire on Missouri Pacific freight train, two miles south of city limits. Fire presented special water supply
as the car was loaded with over 7,000 pounds of rolled newsprint. The fire became one of the department's longest
The car was pulled back to the nearest side track and water hydrant, and took CSFD crews almost ten hours
huge rolls of paper and extinguish the fire.
26 Standby for the Aggie Bonfire on Duncan Drill field. High winds made it necessary for CSFD crews to wet
roof of Duncan Dining Hall on the north side of the Bonfire to prevent embers from igniting the structure's roof. One
to a trash Dumpster fire caused by wind blown Bonfire embers.
8 Aircraft down at FM 60 and FM 2818. After taking off from Easterwood Airport, a plane has complete power
pilot attempted to land back at Easterwood, but did not make the runway, and crash landed in the open field after
lines near FM 2818. The downed power lines caused a twenty-acre grass fire. The pilot and his wife, who was a
were transported to St. Joseph's Hospital in Bryan.
Then and Now
17
j £Y 4, 1974
Willie Nelson's 4~h of July Picnic
Texas: World Speedway
Ca~ fire report at Willie Nelson's 4th o? July Picnic at The Texas World Speedway, about ten
miles south of College Station. On~ a~ival to the Speedway's g~ass pa~king lot, the crew
discovered several automobiles heavily involved in fire. When the fire t~uck stopped to attack the
fires, they found thei~ thick and themselves immediately overn~n and swamped by over-energetic
spectators, who pulled equipment and water hoses off the t~ack, some attempting to take fire
hoses away f~om the CSFD f~efighters. The crew relied on the event's special security force to
gain control of the c~owd and hak the interference. The CSFD crew was £mally able to limit the
fire damage to just 12 vehicles. This was the first CSFD fire to receive national coverage from
television, newspaper, and magazine media outlets.
A sea of cars on fire along with a very over-anxious crowd greet CSFD firefighters on their arrival to
Willie Nelson's Picnic on July 4, 1974, at the Texas World Speedway. B/CS Daily Eagle
Firefighter Ben Walker puts the finishing touches on a car at what perhaps may be considered CSFD's
most infamous grass fire: Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic, 1974. B/CS Daily Eagle
18
1975
2SFD's manpower had expanded to include seventeen full-time firefighters by the beginning of 1975. During this time period,
had established a Fire Prevention Division responsible for arson investigation, public education, fire inspections,
code enforcement. The division had grown from a staff of one to the current staff of five. Responsibilities had grown to
existing construction inspections, new consiruction inspection and fire suppression system inspection, testing, and
prevention educatioja with each a duty fun,c.tion of staff officers. Additional division duties included cause and origin
and explosive ordinance disposal. (Note: 'In 1995, a decision to transfer explosives responsibilities to the College
Police Department would be implemented.)
Fire in Duncan Dining Hall (TAMU), in the basement food storage area. Alarm sounded at 1:46 p.m., with
149 (Chief Landua) giving a Code 5 Wire under control) at 2:05 p.m.
7ARY 7 Before the opening of the movie Towering Inferno at the Cinema I Theater in College Station, CSFD members
treated to a special screening. As the fire in the movie began on the screen, CSFD Chief Landua shouted from the back of
"All you firemen, let's go, we've got a fire!" A smoke report regarding the second floor of the First Baptist Church
College Station (two blocks away) had come in. At first, everyone thought it was someone's idea of a poor practical joke, but
realized it was Chief Landua voice, and that the alarm was real! An hour-long search of the church did not produce the
of the smoke's source, so crews were allowed to return to the theater and finish watching the movie without further
Mutual Aid request at Easterwood Airport. CSFD crews arrived to find an automobile driven halfway through an
hanger wall, trapping the two occupants inside the auto. The crews assisted the University Police Department with
g individuals from the vehicle.
31 College Station Fire
mourned the passing of one
its members. Services were held at
Funeral Chapel for 19-year-
David Wayne Wentrcek. The nine-
month member of CSFD received the
first Firefighter Memorial
Accompanied by an honor
a CSFD pumper carried him to
I CSFD units responded to call
Lot 12 Oak Forest Mobile Home
the home of on-duty Lieutenant
Carlton. His wife, Sherry, called
a crackling noise in a wall
switch she heard in their mobile
15 House fire in the Wellborn Community caused by the occupant hanging his clothes too close to a wood cook stove,
them on fire, and totally destroying the house and all the contents before CSFD arrival.
11 Large animal rescue request for a horse stuck in a utility manhole opening at Texas Avenue and Holleman
The horse's left rear leg was in the manhole opening with the horse sitting on its rump. Placing rope around the horse's
the crew tried unsuccessfully to pull the horse forward to lift it out of the hole. After 20 minutes of watching firemen
on the rope and scratching their heads, the animal stood up and came out of the manhole on its own, with only minor
on its hind leg.
19
1976
FEBRUARY2 Grass fires at FM 2154 and Luther Street, at FM 2154 and FM 2818, then Graham and Barron Roads. Grass
fires were reported all along FM 2154 between the highway and the railroad tracks almost to the community of Wellborn. Warm
dry weather and 25-mile-per-hour winds aided the fires, which were begun by a southbound freight train. The fires quickly
burned over 500 acres before an army of volunteers o'f College Station city employees, Texas A&M employees, and Bryan
firefighters helped CSFD extinguish the largest number of grassfires in the community's history.
MARCH 17 House fire in the country on Rock Prairie Road. The house, built as a log cabin in 1875, went up in flames for an
undetermined reason. CSFD units were unable to save the unoccupied structure for lack of an ample water supply and the
structure's aged fire load.
APRIL 4 A mid-morning aircraft crash in a pasture in southern Brazos County near Arrington Road and Greens Prairie Road
claimed the lives of three passengers and the pilot.
APRIL 4 A mid-afternoon house fire at 1118 Detroit Street was the result of a faulty bathroom wall heater. Damage was
limited primarily to the bathroom wall and part of the roof.
NOVEMBER 18 Inbound Davis Airline aircraft reported an in-flight emergency to Easterwood Airport tower. The landing
gear failed (did not extend), and the pilot attempted to belly-land the plane. CSFD units stood near the runway as the pilot
successfully landed the aircraft.
NOVEMBER 24 Delivery of water to the city's waste water treatment plant on Sewer Plant Road. An almost weekly
departmental chore for several years, this was a rookie firefighter's right of passage when allowed by shift members to drive
truck and deliver the water to the sewer plant alone.
DECEMBER 20 House fire at 1006 Arboles Circle at 22:52 hours. First arriving units found the house heavily involved with
fire and flames out the roof. Crew attaCked interior and exterior with 1-½-" hand lines and a 2-½-" line at the rear of the house.
Fire intensity forced the abandonment of the interior attack. A 2 ½-" line from an exterior wall hole reached the main fire's
location, extinguishing it. The fire claimed the life of the owner and OCcupant of the house.
1977
Prior to the spring of 1977, emergency medical service was provided to the city and community by private ambulance
companies. In the first week of March, one of the ambulance services announced it would cease operations by March 8 and leave
two community-purchased Southern box-type ambulances with CSFD. This resulted in perhaps the single most influential and
significant development in the history of the College Station Fire Department.
After Ed Sherill dropped off the two ambulances on March 6 at the College Station Fire Department, CSFD became
responsible for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) in the city and southern Brazos County with only one certified EMT on staff.
Mid-Tex Ambulance Service agreed to provide EMS service for Bryan and northern Brazos County. The new responsibility
allowed for an immediate expansion of nine CSFD personnel with emergency medical training (EMT) to provide the personnel
to operate the ambulances as the department upgraded its member training with EMT certifications.
MARCH 6 The first emergency medical service call CSFD received after the city began providing EMS services was a non-
emergency transfer of a female from the Sherwood Health Care Center to the Bryan Hospital, both facilities located in Bryan.
JULY 8 A fire in the basement of the Memorial Student Center (TAMU) at 18:44 hours, with heavy smoke coming from the
doors of the basement loading dock. Company commander requested another Fire Company from CSFD and from the Bryan
Fire Department. Fire damage was limited to the basement storage area and was under control in 30 minutes.
SEPTEMBER 6 Citizens of College Station were asked to conserve electricity for a few days after a major fire resulted in
almost $40,000 damage to a city electrical substation at Highway 30, knocking out most of the electrical power to the southern
20
part of the city. After assisting the city's Electrical Department with extinguishing the fire, CSFD units turned control of scene
over to them and returned to service.
OCTOBER 4 Gasoline pump fire at the Mobil Service Station on University Drive and South College Avenue. Person
refueling an automobile left the hose nozzle in the auto tank fill pipe when driving off, pulling the fuel pump over, and causing
an electrical short which ignited the fuel. CSFD extinguished fire with dry chemical extinguisher.
NOVEMBER 10 House frre at~,415 Holleman. Redr of house fully involved in flames. Interior attack was abandoned after
flashover involved the whole house, and an exterior attack was started. At the rear of the house, firefighters heard yelling for
help from inside the burning house. Lieutenant Morgan Cook and firefighter Timothy Fickey busted through the back door and
firefighter Ron Epps out of the house. Epps was treated at the scene and hospital for minor bums on his hands.
Cook, Fickey, and Lynn Lee received second degree burns on their faces and necks.
DECEMBER 20 C Shift gives Santa Claus a ride on a pumper to the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church at Detroit and Nevada
(CSFD is always willing to help the big fellow keep his appointed rounds during the holiday season.)
1978
MAY 23 Explosion and fire at the Barcelona Apartments. Incident mistakenly reported to be at the Briarwood Apartments.
Units were advised of the mistake while en route. Upon arrival, they found one complex with heavy external structural damage
a second floor apartment and small fire in bedroom. Structural damage was assessed and the fire extinguished. Gas company
were notified to help investigate cause and secure the apartment.
At 08:45, major 10-50 (motor vehicle accident) on Highway 6 in front of the Ponderosa Inn. Two autos and a tractor-
were involved in the accident. The injured driver and passenger of one auto were transported by CSFD ambulance to the
for observation. The deceased female driver of the other auto was discovered to be Miss Pearl Smith, CSFD's former
LUGUST 10 B Shift responded to an apartment fire at the Doux Chene Apartments, number 316. Upon arrival, units found
smoke pouring from two apartments. An interior attack was abandoned and the fire controlled with an exterior deluge
operation when four apartment units became involved.
AUGUST 22 Mutual Aid request at 00:28 hours from the Bryan Fire
Department to the Tropicana Apartments on Kent Street in Bryan.
CSFD crews were ordered to attack hallway and stop the fire, and also
laid water supply lines to several Bryan pumpers. Before firefighters
from Bryan, College Station, Navasota, Hearne, Caldwell, Brenham,
and Precinct 3 gained control, 16 apartment units were destroyed. The
fire had also claimed the life of 30-year-old Bryan firefighter and
former College Station fireman Richard Lopez.
Station Fire Department Station flags in honor
and memory of Bryan flrefighter Richard Lopez, a
CSFD fireman from 1970-1973. BillMeeks
1979
JANUARY 1 An apartment fire reported at 05:50 hours, with outside
temperature of 24°F with winds north at 15 mph, at number 791 at the
Plantation Oaks Apartments. Heavily iced area roads slowed response
time. Pumper 142 found heavy smoke coming from the north end of the
building, but had difficulty locating the fire. High winds allowed the
fire, which had been triggered by a kitchen stove in Apt. 795, to rnn the
building's attic space, damaging Apartments 785 - 796 before CSFD
could bring the fire under control. The unusually severe cold
temperatures hampered fire fighting efforts and water supplies lines.
JANUARY2 B Shift responded to a house fire at 05:51 hours located
at 1603 Lair Lane in 13°F weather. Mistaken dispatch to 1605 Laura
21
Lane caused arrival delay to the 1603 Lair Lane address. Units found the structure's West wall heavily involved in fire, which had
spread into the house's attic and could not be reached from inside. Exterior attack began with three 2-1/2 inch lines to knock
down the fire. Upon report from a neighbor that the owner may still'be inside the house, a rescue oPeration located no one. The .
exterior attack led to a successful interior attack. Company officer reported a code 5'in about 40 minutes. (Note: The Laura/Lair
Lane mix-up caused Lair Lane to later be changed to Wolf Pen Lane.)
JANUARY 2 Ceiling collapse at 1421 Magnolia Street. Freezing weather rup:tufed water pipes in the attic. Soaking of the
ceiling's sheet rock caused it to fall o.n the room's floor, flooding the 'room. ~itli' water. CSFD assisted the home owner in
removing water.
FEBRUARY 27' Structure fire at the Board of Regents House
(TAMU). A Shift found a~ large volume of fire approximately
half the ~length of the roof. Water supply established an interior
attack,, but crew had trouble locating stairway to second floor. A
rear fire escape gained them access to the second floor and the
attic. MUtual. Aid from BFD requested, exterior and interior
attacks' contained the fire in a little more than two hours.
JULY 12 ". Heavy smoke from room 322 of the Soil and Crop
Sciences t3uilding (TAMU). First in company ventilated room
considered the main fire. location, and rapidly discovered the
adjacent room heavily involved with fire. A general (second
alarm) and larger attack lines was requested by first-in-company
officer. ,A second company attacked fire room from east hall as
the first crew attacked from the north end. Heavy. thick smoke
haml~ei'ed firefighting efforts to reach very far into the fife room.
Both fire companies were cleared from the fire floor as an
exterior attack began, using an aerial ladder truck belonging fo
the Texas Fireman Training School. After the knockdown,
CSFD companies went back in to extinguish spot fires. Bryan Fire Department's Mutual Aid helped keep the fire loss damage
estimates to the three-room fire and research equipment to about $30,000.
AUGUST3 House fire at 1106 Phoenix at 12:49 hours. House appeared to be totally involved on arrival. Pre-connected 1-1/T'
hose lines were used on each side of the house. Ambulance crew pulls a 3" hose hand line to the front of the house. Unit 143 lays
three 3" supply lines to a water hydrant at Holleman and Carolina. The exterior attack quickly gained control of the main fire
area. An interior attack was used for hot spots and overhaul.
AUGUST 11 Major accident at University and the Highway 6 Bypass. An automobile traveled into a ravine 15 feet t¥om
Carter's Creek, requiring both engine and ambulance crews to remove female patient in a stokes basket up the steep cement
embankment for transportation to a local medical facility.
OCTOBER 12 Stabbing report at the Travis House Apartments, No. 85. The ambulance crew was directed by College Station
Police officers to the body of an apparently fatally stabbed young female.
OCTOBER 18 Structure fire at the University Cleaners at 112 College
front plate glass window was already venting flames because the entire
was quickly established with deluge monitor and hand lines' from Engine
ambulance crew checked adjacent building's ceilings for fire extension. B~
the squirt unit in front of the fire building, and assisted in extinguishing the
142 arrived, the building's
in fire. An exterior attack
a supply line. The
at the same time, set up
22
1980
1980 CSFD expanded its facilities to quicken unit response times in response to the southern growth and development of the
with the opening of the Number 2 Fire Station at Rio Grande Drive and FM 2818. The station was staffed with six
and housed one fire engine and an ambulance. ~ ,. '
11 Engine 142 responded to a motor vehicle accident a~ the intersection of University and the Highway 6 by-pass.
arrival CSFD found one male occupant trapped inside a pick-up truck. 142's Crew used forcible entry tools to remove the
column and extricate the man from the truck..
6 Responding to the report of a fire on the roof of the Texas Grub Steak House, CSFD discovered the
barbecue pit's vent pipe caused the fire on the roof and in the building's attic. The fire was extinguished after crew
· into the attic. ·
At 09:12 hours Fred Rapczyk, Maggie McGraw and Tim Kinchloe became CSFD's first Ambulance crew to
woman deliver her baby. The run report stated that mother, baby and ambulance crew were doing fine on arrival to the
Engine 144 responded to a aircraft down near Welborn road, 3 miles, from the city limits. On arrival 144's crew
a Beechcraft Bonanza down in a field with major damage to the landing gear and wing. The plane's occupants were
to be uninjured, and the unit soon returned to service.
13 Engine 142 is toned out to a child reportedly stuck in the branches ~f a tree. Finding a 3-year-old female with
leg wedged between two heavy branches, firefighters used hy.draulic spreaders to free the child's leg. The child received
experience.
17 CSFD responded to a motor vehicle accident on South Highway 6, and found a pickup truck had left the roadway,
was partially underwater with two adults and one child trapped inside the truck. This difficult rescue required assistance
a Navasota ambulance crew and several bystanders to helP extricate the individuals.
30 CSFD units respond to the report of a fire involving the old Circle Drive-In Theater' s movie screen on Nagle Street.
general alarm brought in off-duty staff with mutual aid requested from the Bryan Fire Department. A large volume of fire
located inside the screen's structure. A garage and fence quickly became exposure concerns for the firefighters, as the
heat being produced by the screen fire required extra protection. Embers fell on area houses and began grass fires that
other buildings. CSFD, with the assistance of many volunteers, contained the fire and damage to the theater's
15 CSFD responds to the report of an explosion and car fire at 500 University drive. On arrival the automobile was
engulfed in flames. The crew learned that the tank of the propane fueled car had been leaking before the gas vapors
and blew out all the vehicle's windows. CSFD's second response unit collided with a CSPD unit while driving to the car
fire scene.
AUGUST24 Engine 144 and Ambulance 501 responded to a motor vehicle accident at Hardy Weedon Road and Highway 30.
CSFD crews soon discovered the one fatality of the accident is the close relative of an on-scene CSFD f'rrefighter.
A Shift responded to a general alarm to a house fire at 1402 Caudill at 04:19 hours to find flames rolling out
~oth front bedroom windows. Firefighters lost the nozzle on the interior attack hose line when the coupling came off the hose
after the line was charged with water, necessitating an exterior attack until another interior hose line was set up.
OCTOBER 9 A shift responded to a house fire at 1305 Austin with smoke from a side window showing on arrival. An interior
attack limited the fire damage to a bedroom and a bathroom.
OCTOBER 11 C Shift was toned out to a police patrol car reported to be on fire at Highway 30 and Stallings Drive. CSFD
dispatch had problems getting information from CSPD dispatch, because, it seemed, they were overcome with the humor of the
situation, which delayed CSFD's response time. Once on the scene, Engine 142 found smoke coming from underneath a CSPD
23
patrol car, due to a malfunction of the car's exhaust system. 142's crew cooled the overheated exhaust with about 10 gallons of
water.
OCTOBER 21 A Shift responded to a structure fire at 618 Columbus. On the scene, they found heavy smoke and flames
coming out of the house. Because the house's interior was divided into multiple small rooms, the crew experienced difficulty
reaching the fire's seat with an interior attack. Fire fighters reverted to an exterior attack to gain control of the main porti~'>n of
the fire.
DECEMBER 21 Engine 142 responded to the report of an individnal trapped underneath the automobile he was working on
after it slipped off the jack at 510 Kyle street. Removed from under the car, he was bruised bnt not seriously injured.
1981
JANUARY 9 CSFD units responded to a house fire report at 1506 Hawk Tree Drive at 19:01 hours. They found heavy fire
damage to kitchen cabinets, with smoke damage throughout the home.. The owner extinguished the fire before firefighters arrived
on scene.
FEBRUARY 17 Public assist at the intersection of Hawk Tree Drive and Brothers Street. Person needed help in removing her
pet Cockatoo t¥om a tree. During the rescue attempt, the tame bird flew away, forcing the rescue to be abandoned.
MAY 27 Engine reported to 1209 Milner Street for a public assist with a snake in the yard. Male resident dispatched the snake
before firefighters arrived.
JULY 7 CSFD responded to a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Highway 30 and Texas Avenue, where a pick-up
trnck collided into the rear of a CSPD patrol car. No injuries were reported in the accident.
SEPTEMBER 3 Pumper 144 responded to an oil storage tank burning at
Bird Pond Road in Brazos County. /;pon arrival, 144 found one storage
tank completely involved in fire. Precinct 3 volunteer fire unit, which was
already on the scene, used their water hoses to provide heat exposure
protection to 144's crew while they used AFF foam to attack the fuel fire.
The fire was under control in 10 minutes.
SEPTEMBER 18 Train derailment at Joe Routt & Welborn Road. A
three-root section of track was loose, causing three tank cars to derail.
There was no damage or hazards to or from the derailed cars.
DECEMBER 26 Responded to two fully involved apartments at the
Doux Chene Apartment complex on FM 2818, which were extinguished
without incident.
1982
JANUARY 9 Three people, who were overcome by carbon monoxide in
their apartment at 134 Luther, were transported to an area hospital. The
source of the carbon monoxide was an improperly cleaned heating vent
pipe. ,
APRIL 6 Responded to an apartment fire at 601 Holleman. Found one
unit fully involved with three other units beginning to emit heavy smoke.
Two apartment residents were injured during this fire because they refused
to stop reentering their burning apartment. One of them required the
attentions of a medical facility, the other was treated at the scene.
24
28 CSFD responded to a structure fire at the Condominium Apartments to find fire in the mail sort room for the
During this fire, units were also toned out to a structure fire at 2318 San Pedro, a duplex with fire showing through
Both fires were later determined to be of suspicious origin.
14 Animal rescue call at 1820 Leona Drive. A bird was trapped in the walls of the residence. Crew cut a hole in the
freed the bird.
Large gas leak and fire at 2400 Longmire. Construction crew digging a ditch cut a 2" natural gas line, igniting the
g a digging machine. The fire was extinguished with no injuries reported.
17 Car fire at the intersection of Holleman and Village, with an individual reported to be burned at the location. The
had backed fired, which ignited the gasoline the owner had poured into it, and burned the owner. After the car fire
the owner was taken to St. Joseph's hospital.
10 Structure fire at 200 Montclair, with one side of a duplex partially involved. Flames were out of the roof upon
This caused some exposure problems with the shopping center next to it. An exterior attack with larger diameter hose
uired in order to contain and extinguish the fire.
Apartment fire in the 1700 block of Southwest Parkway, with flames visible prior to unit's arrival. The fire was
to one room of the apartment. There was extensive damage to the room and heavy smoke damage to adjoining
I Black smoke showing from Rudder Tower (TAMU). A kitchen frre had erupted in the 13th floor restaurant.
alarm system had disabled elevators, making reaching the fire floor difficult for CSFD fn'efighters.
10 One person was transported to the hospital after two aircraft collided on a runway at Easterwood Ah'port.
the aircraft ran into each other, the propeller of one aircraft damaged the other. The injury occurred as passengers exited
the aircraft.
20 One firefighter was
for heat exhaustion after a large fire in
Engineering Shop (TAMU).
foam insulation made the fire difficult
29 The west-bound traffic lane
drive was completely blocked to
after a freight train's box car fell off
overpass, landed upside-down, and
the car's complete load of canned beer
the west- and east-bound traffic
at 00:24 hours. How no one was injured
mishap at that time in that location is
Safety City truly struck again that
24 This Christmas Eve a
alcohol-related accident at FM
and FM 2818 claimed the lives of four
five individuals from one of the
25 House flooded at 2501 Raintree. Homeowners were out of town for the holiday, so the crew was unable to
without forcible entry. Neighbors received owner' s permission to forcibly enter, and crews returned later to remove water.
25
1983
JANUARY 1 The new year started off with a working structure fire at the Monaco Apartments at 306 Redmond Street. The
fire, caused by overheated grease left on the stove, involved one unit of the apartment complex. Damage to the unit and the
building was estimated at $10,000.
JANUARY 1 An automobile driver narrowly escaped severe injury. As he exited his vehicle, another vehicle hit his auto's
door, slamming it closed and pinning one of his legs. Hydraulic tools were required to extricate him from the jammed door; he
received only minor injuries.
FEBRUARY 26 The College Station Fire Department met the Bryan
Fire Department at A&M Consolidated High School's Tiger Field in a
Benefit Football Game to raise money for the Brazes Valley Shriners.
Texas A&M's former head football coach Tom Wilson was CSFD's
coach and Former Aggie player James Zachary coached BFD. Bryan
firefighters won the game 28-0. Funds were donated to the Shriner's
Burn Institute and the Crippled Children's Hospital.
MARCH 17 A child playing with a cigarette lighter ignitied a bed
mattress in the house at 204 South Texas Avenue. The fire was
extinguished before CSFD units arrived.
MARCH 30 Lightening started an attic fire in the house at 200 Lee
Street, and destroyed the attic, roof and most of one of the bedrooms.
One firefighter was injured during salvage operations.
APRIL 8 A fire of suspicious origin was reported in a vacant house at
305 Patricia. Upon arrival, CSFD units found the structure heavily
involved with fire. The structure was completely destroyed before the
fire was extinguished.
MA Y 30 A fire of undetermined origin was reported in a storage
facility unit at 602 Southwest Parkway. Firefighters found the storage
unit locked with smoke showing. After the lock was cut and the door
opened, the fire was quickly extinguished. The fire resulted in smoke
damage to the adjacent storage units.
JULY 5 Storage of flammable liquids near a water heater is believed
to have caused fire at 1808 Potomac. Fire fighters found the fire in a
storage room of the two-story apartment building. The fire had
extended to the second floor apartment through a water heater vent pipe.
AUGUST 3 Three CSFD firefighters received minor injuries during a fire atthe Student Housing Office (TAMU). The fire's
origin was believed to be a cigarette left smoldering on a couch in the lounge.
AUGUST 4 CSFD firefighters were dispatched to a trench collapse, with
The man was found buried in dirt up to his armpits, as his co-workers had
his rescue and transported him to a hospital.
at 900 Harvey Road.
Firefighters completed
AUGUST 9 Firefighters Rodney O'Connor and Tim Johnson,
Brazos Valley Geriatric Center at 1115 Anderson. They drove to the
Johnson took a fire extinguisher, climbed a tree to control the fire
a frre on top of the
the Fire Department.
g's evacuati°n.
26
action controlled the fire until CSFD crews arrived. No injuries to the residents occurred, with only minor smoke
: to the building.
13 A discarded cigarette on a couch resulted in a fire that destroyed the living room of a home at 1010A Welsh.
2 Grease left on the stove resulted in heavy damage to one apartment and smoke damage to three other
at the Southwest Village Apartments at 1100 Southwest Parkway. The fire was quickly extinguished with no
~VEMBER 16 The occupant of an apartment at 609 Turner received 1st- and 2nd-degree burns on his hands, feet, and face,
dropping a pan of burning grease, which caused the flaming oil to splash on him.
1984
1984, CSFD acquired its first ladder truck, a Pierce Arrow track with a 100-foot LTl-elevated platform. This unit was
in order to meet the fire protection needs of the higher multi-story buildings in the City and on the TAMU campus. The
Medical Service was also upgraded with the implementation of its Advanced Life Support System.
1 Mutual Aid to the Brazos County Volunteer Fire Department with a mobile home fire. Upon arrival, the crew
the trailer nearly destroyed.
144 responded to a kitchen fire at the Southside Apartments (TAMU). The fire was contained to the stove, with
damage.
1 A fire in a storage room in the basement of the Zachary Engineering Building at (TAMU) caused minor
the storage room, and destroyed a motorcycle being stored there.
20 Car fire at Walton and Francis Streets. Engine malfunction began the fire, which self-extinguished before fire
arrived.
4 A dog required rescuing during an apartment fire at the Plantation Oaks Apartments. Firefighters removed the
while confining fire damage to one apartment. There were no injuries.
19 A kitchen received heavy smoke damage during an apartment fire at the Parkway Apartments.
17 Injured construction worker at the intersection of Spence and Ross Streets (TAMU). The worker, who was located
a 20' deep hole, required below-grade rescue techniques to remove him.
A fire was confined to the Game room of the Tanglewood Apartments on Hwy. 30. The fire' s origin was unknown.
7 Fire damage was limited to an upstairs apartment at the Southgate Village Apartments at 134 Luther.
20 There was one fatality, and another person injured and taken to the hospital, after their automobile was hit
a train at the intersection of FM 2154 and Luther Street.
There was minor damage to the kitchen after a fire at 401 Stasney.
27
28
July 13, 1984
Walden Pond Apartments
At 1947 hours, CSt:I) received a call for an apartment fire at Walden l>ond Apartments, Responding
units were 242, 145. C-I. and 2502. Upon arrival. I ngine 242 reported heavy smoke and fire in ()ne entire
building and another buildin¢ stal"ting to burn. C-I ordered a ge eral alarm at 1950 hours. 142 hooked to a
hydrant and immediately went inlo monitor operations on the fully involved building. They als() pulled a 2
hose line and started attacking the second building involved in fire. lingine 141 responded at 1951 hours. The
fire advanced to the third building very rapidly, si) Unit 141 was positioned ahead of the fire to cut it ot'l'.
Engine 145 hand laid two lines to 141. Unit 141 immediately went into master stream operations on Bulding
No. 3. Bryan Fire l)epartment responded one engine to CSFI) central station to fill in, and their squirt
responded to the scene. A 2 ¥S' line and a 1 72" line were als() pulled ot'l' Unit 141 ti)r exposure lines to cover
two other buildings that were starting to burn. A three-inlet monitor was als() set up in fi'ont of 141 to assist in
fighting the fire and to cover Unit 141. Another portable monitor was set up ahead el' the fire to knock down
the major portion of the advancing fire. The fire was pretty much surrounded when Unit 144 arrived and laid
two additional supply lines. Unit 144 then staged and only their manpower was used. Alier the fire was
surrounded and exposures were protected, the l'uur monitors pretty, much knocked down the major flame fi'ont.
All the monitors were then shut down, additional hand lines were placed into service~ and overhaul
operations were started. 162 and some fi'esh men were called to the scene to assist. Bryan squirt was placed
into operation to extinguish some remaining fire in the attic area of Building No. 3. which had not fully ..
collapsed. The situation was under control at 2127 hours.
Units 144 and 242 were returned to the station at 2242 hours. Other CSF1) units soon returned to
service. Unit 162, with a monitor, hand lines and three men, was leli at the scene alt night. }:ire fighter l)oug
Arndt suffered second, possibly third, degree burns on both hands. Firefighter Richard Baldwin sufiLred ti'om
apparent heat exhaustion and Lieutenant Fred Rapczyk suffered fi'om apparent heat exhaustion / smoke
inhalation dm'lng overhaul. All three firefighters were taken to St. Joseph's Hospital, treated,' and released.
TEXFIR Incident Report
Fire Ground Commander
D.K. Giordano
The estimated $1.4 million loss at Walden Pond Apartments is the
largest in the department's history. CSFD
1985
brought the 4,000-square-foot expansion of the Central Fire Station's administrative offices, remodeled living
and truck bays.
10 Two men were severely injured when a 35' scaffolding collapsed to the floor during the construction of the
tower at the intersection of Greens Prairie and Hwy. 6 South. Confined~space rescue techniques were required to remove
the bottom of the tower.
19 A child was burned while playing with matches and gasoline at 2004 Angelina Street. The child was
the hospital.
26 A pilot escaped injury after his single-engine aircraft ran off the runway and flipped upside-down at
Airport.
1 A tractor-trailer truck caught fire after being struck by a freight train at the grade crossing at Schein Road and FM
The driver was treated and transported to an area hospital.
7 Structure fire at the Oceanographic Building (TAMU). The fire was contained to a loading dock storage area.
CSFD received a Mutual Aid request from the Snook Volunteer Fire Department for a multiple-vehicle accident at
.ghway 50 and Highway 60. The three-vehicle accident caused one fatality and seriously injured two others,
their extrication from the severely damaged vehicles.
29 Fire destroys one unit of the Eastmark Apartments. Intense fire and smoke conditions were encountered by CSFD
arrival. The fire was extinguished with no injuries.
,Y 27
A trailer house was destroyed by fire at the Ceminos Mobil Home Park at 3001 Texas Ave. Nothing was left but
to extinguish upon arrival.
Forcible entry was required to enter the church fire at 707 Eisenhower. The storage room fire caused extensive
damage inside the church. '~
An explosion occurred at the Saber Inn at 701 Texas Avenue. Crews found debris from an exploded device
another device in a hallway of another room. The truck crew assisted CSFD prevention division.
CSFD responded to a tent on fire at the Aggie Bon-Fire site (TAMU). Trying to keep warm, a student started
his tent, setting the tent on fire. This run is no Aggie Joke!
4 Cable company worker and boom truck were entangled in high-tension power lines at 605 Westridge Street.
worker, who received severe burns, was removed from bucket and transported to a local hospital.
12 CSFD crew's efforts, abilities and procedures were praised after the fatal crash landing of a GTE aircraft at
One seriously injured passenger and the two fatalities required extrication from the twisted wreckage. The
of the National Transportation Safety Board stated his job had been made easier by help from local officials and
accident response was exceptional. I'm amazed at how much expertise and competence has been available at every tm."
30 House fire at the home of CSFD firefighter Dwight Rabe at 1908 FM 158. Rabe was not at his home when
broke out. The blaze was under control within an hour.
29
1986
MARCH 29 A difficult-to-locate fire in the Brownstone apartments on 600 Welsh street resulted in increased damage to the
structure with flooring, ceiling, and sheet rock needing to be removed in order to locate the fire.
APRIL 6 One firefighter was injured and several residents lost their belongings in a major fire that destroyed most of Building
B of the Sausilito Apartments. More than half of the eight-unit apartment building was fully involved on CSFD's arrival. The
primary concern was exposure protection to prevent the fire from igniting adjacent apartment buildings. The fire was under
control in about 45 minutes.
MAY 17 Three people were injured and transported to a local ho.spital after an awning they were standing under at the TAMU
Golf Shop collapsed.
MAY 20 A fourth floor concentric bore X-ray machine was destroyed by fire in the Chemistry Annex (TAMU).
JUNE 8 Station 2's crew responded to a large natural gas leak at the intersection of Longmire and Brothers. The Lone Star
Gas relay station had developed a leak. They established a safe zone perimeter until the Gas Company had the situation under
control.
JUNE 16 High water rescue call at 100 Milliff Street. A person driving in a high-water situation became trapped in his
vehicle after nearly being swept downstream. The removal of the driver from the vehicle required swift water rescue techniques.
Both the driver and the rescuers were removed safely.
JULY 12 One firefighter was injured removing wreckage to gain access in the rescue of a female trapped under a vehicle after
an MVA on Highway 6 South.
AUGUST 4 A grease fire on the kitchen stove at 1201 Westover caused heavy fire and smoke damage to the entire house.
The house filled with smoke while neighbors controlled the fire with a garden hose until CSFD arrived.
OCTOBER 9 One male was.rescued from creek bottom. It took several firefighters to place the victim in a stokes basket and
pull him up the side of the creek bank.
DECEMBER 19 Construction workers accidentally set fire to the roof of the house at 618 Fairview while sweating a pipe
joint on the roof. The roof was cut open to extinguish the fire.
Then ired Now
30
1987
JANUARY 13 A fire of suspicious origin caused extensive damage to a home at 203 Fairview.
bedroom and spread quickly to the roof. The fire was extinguished without injuries.
A leaking gas line ignited by a
JARY 5 Responded to a Hazardous Material fire at the Brayton Fire Training Field (TAMU). A chemical reaction
caused the fire, which totally destroyed a storage building and partially damaged a classroom building at the Hazardous
Materials Training Facility at the school. Without proper extinguishing agents, the material was control-burned.
Rescue at 1802 Texas Ave. at Mazzio' s Pizza Shop. Two children stuck their fingers in holes of the chairs they
were sitting in and could not remove them, requiring CSFD to cut the chairs in order to release the children.
A horse became wedged between two trees. The crew used inflatable air bags to spread apart the trees and release
the horse.
A garage was destroyed and home damaged by a fire in the garage of 8113 Raintree. When firefighters arrived on
the scene, they encountered heavy fire and smoke conditions. The fire was extinguished without injury~
MAY 7 Two residents were injured while breaking a window to escape their burning apartment at 2000 Longmire.
Firefighters found the front of the apartment fully involved with fire. The fire was extinguished and injured residents were
transported to the hospital.
JUNE CSFD firefighters received high-rise rescue training.
AUGUST 27 Five Brazos County fire units and two College station fire
units were needed to control a large grass fire at the intersection of Rock
Prairie Road and Greens Prairie Road. The fire's path threatened several
homes and livestock. Firefighters prevented any loss of structures, and
no injuries were reported.
OCTOBER 13 Mutual Aid response to a structure fire at 2813 Cypress
Bend in Bryan. En route, 'the crew was advised of a child possibly
trapped in the structure. Under heavy smoke conditions, a rescue crew
found no children. CSFD assisted Bryan Fire Department with
extinguishing the fire and returned to service.
/
/
NOVEMBER 7 Stand-by for the A&M Consolidated High School's
annual Bonfire. Engine 142 staged at Nueces and Welch Streets and
watched for spot fires from flying embers. Crew treated a hand laceration
on one student, who later refused transport to a medical facility.
DECEMBER 2 Public assist to a vehicle lockout with the motor
running at 1600 Southwest Parkway. Units were canceled before leaving
station ramp, because the owner opened the car.
31
Fallen Comrades
"gone from our lives, forever in our hearts"
March 31, 1975 David Wayne Wentrcek received the department's first Firefighter
Memorial Ceremony.
July 12, 1987 Reponding to a motor vehicle accident on Highway 6 South, the
crew found one vehicle lying on its side with the driver already out of the vehicle.
The driver was CSFD firefighter/EMT-P Mary Beck, who was to report for CSFD
duty that morning. Ambulance crew examination indicated minor injuries. Hospital
examination revealed serious internal injuries. Mary Beck Blenderman died July 29.
January 15, 1988 A fatal boating-accident at Lake Limestone while duck hunting
claimed the life of 27-year:old CSFD firefighter Glen Dowell.
David Wayne
Wentrcek
C.S.F.D. 1974-1975
Mary Beck
Blenderman
C.S.F.D. 1985-1987
photo Tom Reed
Glen Dowell
C.S.F.D. 1980-1988
photo Thomas Geoehl
32
1988
17 Vehicle fire on the railroad tracks 1-1/2 miles north of FM 159. An intoxicated driver lost control of his car,
it onto the railroad tracks and igniting the car on fire. The driver was not injured and was removed from the auto before
approached.
Toned out at 00:03 hours to a portable toilet on fire at the Old Chemistry Building construction site (TAMU).
the directions, which resulted in the toilet's total consumption before the unit's arrival.
I Structure fire at 118 Morgan. Upon arrival, the crew found the house halfway involved in fire, which was
without incident.
12 Structure fire at Sunset Gardens Nursery at 3020 Texas Avenue. The fire had consumed most of the wooden
full of agricultural chemicals on arrival, and was allowed to burn itself out to prevent the contamination of a nearby
toxic runoff water. This early morning blaze was the second early Sunday morning fire and one of four in two weeks
the same half-mile area. These fires had CSFD investigators looking for an arsonist and had area residents worried about
homes and businesses.
22 Rescue call at the new parking garage still under construction (TAMU). An injury occurred on the 5th floor.
personnel climbed up and stabilized the .victim. The Aerial Ladder was needed to remove the victim from the fifth
7 Structure fire at Moses Hall (TAMU). The dormitory was evacuated after discovering that someone had stuffed papers
mop down an electrical chute in the bathroom. This was a very difficult fire to extinguish.
Electrical malfunction at the Ponderosa Motor Inn at 3702 Texas Ave. Several electrical fires were found throughout
structure as a result. The City Electrical Department was needed to turn off the electricity before the fires could be
7 Structure fire at the Kent Moore Cabinet Shop at 3206 Longmire. A sawdust removal duct was on fire and needed to
disassembled in order reach the fire and extinguish it.
12 Ladder 151 responded to a Mutual Aid request from the Bryan Fire Department. At a church located at 1601
they assisted BFD with overhaul operations and smoke removal.
22 A house was totally destroyed at Luther Street and Wellborn Road. The house was near collapse from the
fire on CSFD's arrival.
9 Apartment fire at 306 Redmond. Two vacant units were completely involved in fire. The fire at the Redmond
was difficult to extinguish and of a suspicious origin.
12 Oil tank fire 1-1/2 miles south on Highway 6. AFFF was used to extinguish the burning storage tank.
1 A child was locked in a car at 802 Autumn. The crew had to remove the door window in order to open the car,
door tools would not unlock the door. The child was uninjured.
6 Bomb threat at the Yellow House Apartments at 1800 Welsh. Units staged down the road while Prevention
investigated the location. To everyone's relief, it was a false alaxm.
33
'1989
JANUARY 25 Structure fire at 306 Redmond at the Aggieland Apartments. The small fire was extinguished with no problems.
FEBRUARY 4 Twenty-degree weather with sleet and iced roads slowed the response to a mobile home fire at the Oak Forest
Mobile Home Park on Krenek Tap Road. Ladder Truck 751 slid off the road into a ditch and got stuck. Extensive fire damage
resulted to the Mobile home.
MARCH 8 Structure fire at 1105 Deacon St. An automobile was on fire inside the garage. There was heavy smoke damage
with moderate fire damage.
MARCH 10 Three people were burned when gasoline ignited while they refueled their automobile at the Diamond Shamrock
Station on Texas Avenue. The source of ignition was unknown; all three needed medical attention and were taken to a hospital.
APRIL 7 Structure fire at the Anderson Place apartments at 1603 Anderson. Two apartments received extensive damage before
the fire was brought under control.
JULY 27 Rescue call at the Woodstock Condominiums. A dog had its head stuck in a clothes dryer vent. Part of the wall was
removed to release the dog unharmed.
AUGUST 1 Heavy rains resulted in the recovery operation of two of three young men who were tubing in the run-off waters of
Bee Creek. The two young men were drowned after being swept downstream into the concrete drainage culvert under the
Highway 6 East Bypass.
SEPTEMBER 5 Vehicle fire in a parking garage at (TAMU). These new types of structures on the TAMU campus presented
special entry requirements for CSFD fire crews, resulting in alternative approaches for fires in these specialized structures. On
this call, crews hand-carried (humped) fire hose to the fire floor and used the building's dry standpipe system to extinguish the
vehicle.
Then and Now
34
1990
early 1990, Richard Orange became College Station Fire Department's Fire Chief, after relocating from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
was the second chief officer of the department since its establishment. Orange soon made changes in command rank authority
adopting the Incident Command System, actions which created lasting developments during Chief Orange's short tenure.
JARY 1 Report of power lines down at 1502 Lawyer. Occupant heard electrical static sounds in her back yard. Crew discovered
:sounds to be a back yard electrical Bug Zapper.
Animal rescue, cat stranded in a tree at 300B Ayrshire.
to residence, track's sound scared the cat down out of the
Structure fire at the Sandstone Apartments. Sandstone staff
officer that people smoking caused the smoke alarm
7 Ladder 151 transported the Easter Bunny around the mall
lot in the track's basket during the Post Oak Mall Easter Bunny
26 Mass Casualty Drill simulating a downed passenger
held at Easterwood Aitlxa-t. CSFD participated with Bryan Fire
and TAMU personnel to coordinate and prac~ce emergency'
plans and procedures.
18 Structure fire at the Peking Express Restaurant at 606
The kitchen's vent hood fire ran the attic space, making it difficult
to and extinguish.
12 Report of a sulfuric acid leak at Ashbury and Hogg
(TAMU). CSFD found a 3,000-gallon tafik Of sulfuric acid leaking
gallon/minute. CSFD crews plugged and stopped the leak.
1991 '"
Structure fire at the Sandstone Center. Found steam
hot shower activated the alarm system.
Structure fire at Building 518 (TAMU). Found small fire started by a student suspected of starting numerous lab
· Fire extinguished with CO2 extinguisher. Student advised to discontinue his experiments.
Fire alarm at City Jail at 2611 Texas Avenue. Prisoner broke off sprinkler head, activating system.
17 Report of a structure fire at 1527 WOlf Run. No fire at location. Units discover smoke source was caused by
g smoke bombs onto the roof of the house.
15 Report of explosion and fire at the Chemistry Building (TAMU). A can of paraffin had caught fire in a flume hood,
one student got burned while attempting to extinguish the fire. The student was transported to a medical facility and the fire was
Report of structure fire on the 7th floor of Oceanography Building (TAMU). Fire crew found fluorescent light ballast
causing the smoke odor.
35
DECEMBER 2 Structure fire at Zachary Building (TAMU). Heavy smoke was discovered on the 3rd floor. The office fire was
considered suspicious, requiring an inspector. There were no injuries.
1992
JANUARY16 Vehicle fire inside structure at 1251 Barton Road. The fire was started by an electric light bulb the owner was using to
examine the vehicle's carburetor. The light bulb broke, starting fire and causing minor injury to the owner. After the fire was
extinguished, it was discovered that the structure stored highly flammable and hazardous materials.
FEBRUARY 1
apartment.
Structure fire at 311 Stasney. Food left .on the stove caused minor structural and heavy smoke damage to the
FEBRUARY 20 Structure fire at 405 Thompson Street. Child stuck a screwdriver into an electrical panel. There were no injuries or
damage.
JUNE 5 Unconscious person 5191 Straub Road. A twentyrfive year old female, who had fallen off her horse, was transported to a local
hospital.
JULY 8 Chemical emergency at Building 1503 (TAM~.. Bottle of beryllium in hexane concentrate broke, filling the laboratory with
V
apors. TAMU s Safety Office remedied the incident, releasing CSFD units to service.
NOVEMBER 2 Bomb threat at the Post Office on Hilltop Street. The "bomb" was discovered to be a large bag with smaller bags filled
with popcorn, with cassette tapes taped to each bag.
DECEMBER 15 Aircraft standby at McKenzie Tel-minal at Easterwood Airport for Air Force One carrying President George Bush.
DECEMBER 27 Structure fire at j°Se's Restaurant at
4004 Harvey Road. Heavy fire and smoke showed on
arrival, caused by a grease vent on the roof. The building
was a total loss; there were no injuries.
1993
MARCH 23 Structure fire at 9207 Shadowcrest. Crew
encountered heavy smoke, with two rooms involved. The
home owner received minor burns and one firefighter,
suffering from smoke inhalation, was taken to hospital.
MARCH 24 Structure fire at Mayor Larry Ringer's
house at 702 Thomas. Crew encounters a one-story
wood-frame house with the garage and exterior walls and
roof fully involved. An exterior attack with deck monitor
gained control, and the fire was mopped up with an
interior attack.
Using community dgmated funds, material and labor, CSFD constructs a
community fire safety education trailer house to promote and educate B~
Valley school children about hc~ne fire safety. CSFD
APRIL 23 Structure fire on the 5th floor of the Soils and Crops Building ~AMU-); An overheated electrical motor caused heavy
smoke on the 5th floor. The crew disconnected electricity and returned to service.
JUNE 25 Electrocution at 3011 Cortez. A utility worker in a tree made contact with a power line. The individual was found fatally
injured, After the power was mined off, CSFD crews removed the victim from the tree,
36
JUNE 28 Fire at the Hilton Hotel at 801 University Drive East. Upon arrival, the crew found heavy smoke in the basement and first
floor, with smoke in the 8th and 9th floors as well. Hotel guests were evacuated, and Mutual Aid was requested from Bryan Fire
Department. The smoke source was an oily rag, which was left on the fire pump motor in the basement. Smoke was removed from the
and the crews remmed to service.
AUGUST 12 Structure fire at 211 Sterling. Upon arrival, the crew found heavy smoke with fire in a rear bedroom, which was quickly
30 Fire at the Colony Apartments at 1109 Southwest Parkway. Upon arrival, the crew found light smoke showing. The fire
located in the attic and extinguished. There were no injuries.
12 Structure fire at Building 1507, ReSearch Laboratory (TAMU). On arrival, the crew found heavy smoke with
trapped on the 5th floor. The occupants were evacuated from the floor and building. The fire was located in the main
panel in the basement. Carbon dioxide extinguishers were used on the fire, then a decontamination site was established in case
Byphenol (PCB) exposure from the electrical equipment smoke.
8 Structure fire at the Bee Creek
at 1801 Potomac. Upon arrival, the
found two apartment units fully involved.
tguished with no injuries.
11 Hazardous materials incident
Building 524 ~AMU), with a tank leaking
acid. The Texas A&M University Health
Safety Office spill response team was on the
spreading bicarbonate of soda to neutralize
acid. CSFD unit was advised that additional
were not needed and were returned to
28 Structure fire at the Oakwood
at 503 Southwest Parkway. Upon
the crew found two units totally involved
through the roof. They gained control
the fire without major structural loss to the
or injuries to tenants or firefighters.
7 Structure fire at 1024 Navarro Drive. Prior to arrival the crew was advised of heavy smoke and fire conditions. The
hallway and bedroom of the duplex was totally involved with fire, which was extinguished with no injury to personnel.
1994
early 1994, fifty-four youngsters graduated from CSFD's first Kid Safe fire safety program. Two new positions, Public Information
and Fire Protection Specialist, were added to the Fire Prevention Division. Funding was approved for a third fire station, with
breaking ceremonies in early Spring. A course completion agreement with Scott & White, Blinn College, and CSFD would
EMT-1 and EMT-P students to train with CSFD ambulance crews. Dr. Joseph Jones replaced Dr. Richard Herron, who
since 1987 as CSFD's Medical Director. CSFD took delivery of a new, larger chassis ambulance during the year.
JANUARY 17 Driver/Engineer Maggie McGraw, CSFD's first female firefighter, was promoted to Lieutenant and credited with being
the department's first female Company Officer. Firefighter Jeff Kuydendall was promoted to Driver/Engineer.
FEBRUARY 11 Mutual Aid request by Brazos County Volunteer Fire Departrnent Precinct 1 to structure fire at 4713 Nantucket Drive.
Crews assisted in extinguishing fire; the structure received heavy damage with no injuries reported. This fire was the first in a series of
arson fires in the area.
37
FEBRUARY 16 Mutual Aid request from the Brazos County Volunteer Fire Department, Precinct 3 to a structure fire on Linda Lane
in the Harvey Hillside subdivision. CSFD unit, the first on the scene, employed exterior and interior fire control tactics to control the
fire. The structure received heavy fire dmnage with no injuries reported. This was the second fire in a series that showed suspicious
origins.
Firefighters wait for water to fill the fire hose before enteriug the house fire at 2717 Red Hill.
FEBRUARY 22 Structure fire at 2717
Red Hill Drive. Intense smoke was pouring
fi-om the structure on unit's arrival. Fire
was qmckly extinguished with minor fire
damage and serious smoke damage. This
was the third suspicious fire in Februm-y.
One arrest was made in March with
subsequent arson conviction and
sentencing of 75 years in prison,
MAY 31 Burn injury at 134 Luther. A
child was burned when his clothes ignited
while playing with a cigarette lighter. The
child's father extinguished the fire, and the
child was transported to Brazos Valley
Medical Center for treatment.
JUNE 2 Structure fire at 308 Bolton. A
cigarette smoldering in a chair resulted in
the death of the home's 68-year-old male
occupant.
AUGUST 19 Structure fire at the Varsity
II Apartments at 100 George Bush. The fire required all CSFD units and two fire units from Bryan Fire Department to control. The fire
was caused when a male threw gasoline on two occupants of one apartment, then ignited the gasoline. Both occupants received severe
burns, one fatally. The male assailant was later arrested, convicted of capital murder, and sentenced to death.
SEPTEMBER 16 Structure fire at 2918
Camille. The fire, of unknown origin,
started in the attached garage of a large 2-
story residential structure. All CSFD Units
and personnel were required in the
containment and extinguishing of the large
fire. The fire was contained to the garage
area and kept from the main portion of the
house. The fire was under control in
approximately one hour. Two firefighters
received minor bums, and were treated and
later released from Brazos Valley Medical
Center.
SEPTEMBER 30 Structure fire at 1008
Bayou Woods. The fire was intentionally
set to cover up another crime. Firefighters
entering the house found the body of a 20-
year-old female victim. The fire was quickly extinguished. A suspect was later an'ested and convicted of capital murder.
OCTOBER 28 Structure fire at U-Rent-M Buikhng at 2301 Texas Avenue. Firefighters found the fire rapidly intensifying in the rear
of the building, which soon involved highly flammable chemicals stored in plastic conrNners. The source of the fire was believed to be
38
material with a cutting torch. Two urdts from the Bryan Fire Department assisted CSFD in extinguishing
~fire. There were no injuries at this fire.
1995
College Station Fire Department and the Bryan Fire Department agreed to begin an Automatic Aid program in which each
nearest or readily available fire or ambulance emergency unit would be dispatched to shared border areas. The department
automatic defibrillators for all fire engines, beginning the advanced life support engine crew concept. The hazardous
response program received a $3,000 donation from Union Pacific Resources to purchase much needed equipment and supplies
materials mitigation efforts. A tactical information planning system (TIPS) program began in 1995, giving firefighters the
to plan in advance for emergencies. In the fall, CSFD celebrated 25 years of service to the citizens of College Station and
communities.
JANUARY 31 Responded to report of stmcxure fire at
811 Harvey Road. The large flame column at the rear of
the structure was from the owner firing up his barbecue
pit.
FEBRUARY 2 Structure fire at Building 385
(TAMU). There was a report of smoke on the third floor.
The subsequent investigation revealed a steam pipe had
ruptured, venting steam that created the "smoke."
Team member approaches chemical tanker rOllover to
a secondary assessment for controlling the leak. CSFD
APRIL 13 Hazardous material incident at Building
521, Heldenfels Hall (TAMU). A demonstration using
alcohol explodex~ injuring a student. The University
Safety Office remedied the incident.
Mutual Aid request from BFD to a hazardous material spill at FM 2818 and Independence. CSFD Haz-Mat Team assisted
in the mitigation of the chemical spill at this tank truck rollover in Bryan.
Fuel spill at the intersection of Lewis and Bizzell streets. Propane fuel tank fell from a vehicle, activating the tank's pressure
valve.
1 Aircraft emergency at Easterwood Airport.
practicing touch-and-go landings ran off the
flipping his plane upside down. The pilot was
7 CSFD celebrate its 25th anniversary with
and reunion during Fn'e Prevention Week at
Central Park.
39
College Station Fire Department
October 1 995
42
College Station Fire Department Organization
Operations Division
College Station Fire Department Operations Division provides emergency services such as suppression, ALS medical
and hazardous materials response within the 33-square-mile city limits of College Station. Included within our city
is Texas A&M University. The population of College Station is 58,000, while the'enrollment at A&M adds an additional
000 to the population depending on CSFD services. The total value of property protected by the Department exceeds $3
fire department a/so provides fire and hazardous materials response to the Brazos County through mutual aid agreements
five Brazos County Volunteer departments. Through a separate agreement with the Brazos County Commissioners, the
Station Fire Department provides primary ALS medical response to the southern portion of Brazos County.
materials response is to the Technician level with mitigation responsibilities. There are six Technicians per shift
paging capability for off-duty personnel to respond. A 1977 1500gpm pumper has been converted into a hazardous
response unit.
March, 1995, the College Station and Bryan Fire Departments entered into an automatic aid agreement whereby, regardless
limits, the closest unit responds to requests for service. In some parts of the city, response times have been reduced by as
as two minutes. Each agency automatically has the resources of the other agency available.
College Station Fire Department employs seventy-eight personnel with sixty-six being assigned to Operations. Working
hour shifts, there are twenty-two personnel assigned to each of the three shifts. The shift change is at 0700 each
Station currently operates three fire station facilities, with Fire Administration being located at Fire Station No. 1. The
Division staffs on a daily basis three engine companies with a minimum staffing of four, with two of the engines
ALS equipped, two ALS ambulances, one 100' ladder tower with a minimum staffing of three, and Shift Commander's
Apparatus
Apparatus
I i~93 Suburban
Within
the College Station Fire Department
Capacity Brand
[ Shift Commander's vehicle ] GMC ]
199~"i~umper (on order) 1250 gpm ,~ Emergency One ....
1993 Pumper 1250 gpm Becker/Freightliner
1991 Pumper 1500 gmp Pierce Lance
1981 Pumper 1500 gpm Pierce
1981 Pumper 1250 gpm American LaFrance
1977 Pumper 1500 gpm Pierce (converted to haz mat)
1981 Booster ] 250 gpm ]Pierce
1995 Ambulance (2) 2 ½ tons Freightliner/Southern
1991 Ambulance Type I Ford/Collins
1989 Ambulance Type I Ford/Collins
43
Management Services Division
The Management Service Division was created in response to a self-imposed downsizing of upper management. Separate
Assistant Chiefs, prior to the downsizing, managed the divisions of Fire Prevention and Training. The two divisions are now
grouped together along with support staff and are managed by the Assistant Chief of Management Services.
Management Services Division
Organizational Chart
~eiata~t C~i~
Management
s~i~
I !
[ New Construction
L Rick Westbrook
F.L.A.M.E.
Officer
David Sims
The Management Services Division has primary responsibility for the overall Fire Department Budget, Personnel Issues, Fire
Prevention, Public Education, and Internal Training. The primary areas of responsibility in the ICS System are Finance,
Logistics, Public Information and Safety.
College Station Fire Department
Organizational Chart
A Shift
Chief
I
Assistant Chief [
i I
B Shift C Shift
Battalion Chief Battalion Chief
Training Battalion
Chief
Assistant Chief
Management
Prevention
Battalion Chief
Station 1 Station 1 Station 1
Station 2 Station 2 Station 2
Station 3 Station 3 Station 3
Training
Assistant
Support Staff
Existing "'Il"
Construction
Public 11 Fire Protection
il__. s e i7 _
45
Community Awareness
Upper left:
Students visit CSFD's fire safety education trailer house to learn how to prevent home fires. CSFD
Upper right: "Sparky", the educational mascot gets a kiss from a fan. CSFD
Below: Firefighter "Frank" entertains children at a Christmas party. CSFD
46
Administration
William Kennedy
Fire Chief
7/2 7/92
David Giordano Eric Hurt
Asst. Chief - Operations Asst. Chief- Management Services
5/16/77 6/4/81
Support Staff
Shirley Siccinski
Staff Assistant
3/10/86
Patricia Rosier
Senior Secretary
9/25/89
47
Prevention
Jon Mies
Battalion Chief / Paramedic
4/3/80
Rick Westbrook
Lieutenant
9/16/84
Mike Ruesink
Lieutenant
11/6/82
Raymond Olson
Lieutenant
6/17/82
David Sims
FLAME Officer
4/22/93
48
Training
Bart Humphreys
Battalion Chief
2/23/79
Lee Gillum
FFI / Paramedic
3/11/91
Medical
Dr. Joe Jones
Medical Director
49
Thomas Goehl
Battalion Chief
7/27/78
Morgan Cook
Lieutenant
3/21/74
Rodney O'Connor
Lieutenant
12/1/72
Greg Rodgers
Lieutenant
9/3/88
Lieutenant
5/12/78
50
Billy Bradshaw Brad Clark Jim Connor
Driver / Eng. / Paramedic Firefighter I Driver / Engineer
3/3/88 3/1/79 9/3/80
Lori Ellen
Firefighter I / Paramedic
11/1/89
Paul Gunnels
Driver / Eng. / Paramedic
9/1/90
Chris Kelly
Firefighter III
8/4/95
Tim Kinchloe
Firefighter III / Paramedic
6/26/95
Dan McNeill
Firefighter I
3/3/88
David Moore
Firefighter I
8/18/78
51
Kristin Mosby Paul Place Andy Ramirez
Firefighter I / Paramedic Firefighter I Firefighter I
9/3/90 8/18/79 12/7/79
Darryl Smith Louis Solis Bobby Stanford
Firefighter I / Paramedic Driver / Eng. Firefighter I
10/15/91 8/17/82 10/16/83
Tim VaMez
Firefighter III / Paramedic
8/8/94
Richard Weisser
Firefighter I
2/12/92
52
"A" Shift
Group Photo
53
George Spain
Battalion Chief
1/2/79
Steve Hisaw
Lieutenant
9/3/81
Fred Rapczyk
Lieutenant / Paramedic
5/1/78
Lieutenant
5/1/77
Zalobny
Lieutenant
7/23/76
54
Chris Beasley
Driver / Engineer
2/17/80
Mike Carruth
Firefighter I / Paramedic
12/16/87
Jerry Duffy
Firefighter I / Paramedic
7/1/82
Bobby Fickey
Firefighter I
10/2/82
Ernie Goode
Firefighter II / Paramedic
10/21/94
Tim Hamff
Firefighter I
8/20/92
Matt HarmOn
Driver / Engineer
12/17/87
Greg Janda
Driver / Engineer
3/3/88
Shawn Kucera
Firefighter III / Paramedic
8/4/95
55
Janet Laffey Randy Martin Lance Norwood
Firefighter II Firefighter II .Firefighter I / Paramedic
8/19/94 11/14/94 9/2/90
Ed Phillips Paul Powell Tom Reed
Firefighter I Firefighter I Driver / Engineer
9/5/84 12/1/85 6/18/83
James Sears
Firefishter II / EMT
10/4/93
Marvin Wagener
Firefighter I / Paramedic
10/1/91
56
Group Photo
5?
Tom Thraen
Battalion Chief
7/10/78
Tim Fickey
Lieutenant
4/3/75
Maggie McGraw
Lieutenant
9/17/79
Pat Quinlan
Lieutenant
12/26/79
Gary Stevener
Lieutenant
8/1/78
58
Doug Arndt
Driver / Engineer
9/12/81
Jim Barker
Driver / Eng. / Paramedic
10/18/85
Andy Jones
Firefighter I / Paramedic
1/21/84
Jeff Kuykendall
Driver / Engineer
12/3/85
David Looney
Firefighter I / Paramedic
3/22/93
Jim Mack
Firefighter I
9/4/88
Anthony Marino
Firefighter I / Paramedic
9/2/88
Jim Morris
Firefighter I / Paramedic
7/2/85
Robert Mumford
Firefighter I / Paramedic
6/21/93
59
David Novak Bobby Rhodes George Rosier
Firefighter ! Firefighter I Driver / Engineer
4/25/88 11/18/81 3/1/79
Steve Smith
Firefighter I
10/17/85
Bill Walton
Firefighter I / Paramedic
1/1/79
Johnny Ward
Firefighter I
1/14/80
Joe Warren
Firefighter I
6/7/84
Larry Wentrcek
Firefighter I
5/1/79
60
Group Photo
TEXAS EMS 4MB ULANCE
Bryan/College Station
(409) 823-6555
Toll Free
1-800-366-6165
Texas EMS Ambulance Corporation is a Houston-based,
family-owned and operated business.
We have been providing services for the Houston are 365
a year, 24 hours a day since 1 986. Texas EMS is one of the
Houston area's largest private ambulance services with a fleet
of new model ambulances equipped with high-tech medical
equipment, maintained and staffed by highly-trained, certified
courteous personnel.
We have 24-hour ambulances stationed in Houston,
Angleton, Richmond, and Bryan-College Station, and have
contracts with some of the areas largest hospitals.
Texas EMS would like to congratulate College Station Fire
Department for their 25th Anniversary and look forward to the
next 25 years.
We are proud to offer
sincere congratulations
to the ~Coliege Station
Fire
their
The
Department on
Silver Anniversary,
dedication and
quality service of these
men and women have
earned the College
Station Fire Depan~ment
its "sterling" reputation,
Columbia Medical Center Columbia Surgical Center Columbia Homecare
St. Joseph
Regional Health Center
Sisters of St. Francis
A Member of St. Francis Services Corporation E.O.E. M/F/H/A/V
2801 Franciscan Drive * PO Box 993 * Bryan, TX * 77805-0993
As with health care, Public Safety
takes a special dedication and,
commitment to the community.
St. Joseph Regional Health Center is
proud to salute the men and women
of The College Station Fire
Department for 25 years of
outstanding dedication to protecting
and serving our community.
Scott & White Clinic, College Station and College Station Fire Department
Working together to protect the lives
of Brazos Valley citizens.
SCOTF & x~ITE
CLINIC, COI.I.ECJE STATION
1600 University Drive
College Station, Texas 77840
409-691-3300
800-291-1212
Scott & White Clinic in the
Bryan/College Station area
serve patients who have
BlueCross/Blae Shiel~ the
Scott & White Health Plan
and other insurance plans.
What Do You Say
Who've
Their Lives
Every Day
For 25 Years?
A simple "ThankYou" .just
doesn't seem to be enough.
First American Bank salutes the men and women of
The College Station Fire Depam-nent for 25 years of outstanding
dedication to protecting and serving our community.
1111 Briarcrest D~., Bryan 260.4300
Cashion
rdiology
MEDICARE ASSIGNMENT ACCEPTED
Bcarcl Certified:
American Board of Inteml Medicine
American Board of Carc~ovascular Diseases
W. Richard Cashion, Jr., M.D.,
EA.C.P., F.A.C.C., F.S.C.A.I.
Marcel E. Lechin, M.D.
Cardiac Catheterization
Angioplasty
Pacemakers
Coronary Stent Placement
EKGs
Echocardiography
Nuclear Cardiology
Treadmill Testing
1605 Rock Prairie Road, Suite 310
College Station
LOCATED ACROSS lltE SlltEEI'
FRO~ ~OLUMBIA I~EDIC2~ CENTER
Green with Envy
Lawn Service
Paul Wayne Powell
846-9597
JERRY MERKER
Broker Associate
Office: (409) 846-2894
Residence: (409) 774-4605
1003 University Drive East, College Station, Texas 77840
Bryan
PARTY TiME
+ RENTALS +
We Rent Fun!
1901 $. Texas Avenue
779-0094
HOUSE INNS OF AMERICA, INC.
Serving Complimentary Breakfast
Cable TV * Free Movies & Sports
Free Local Phone Calls
Health Facilities
Shuttle Service
Congratulates
College Station Fire Department
on
25 years of Dedicated Service
MANOR HOUSE INN
for reservations call
2504 Texas Ave. South * College Station, TX 77840
1-800-231-4100
4201 Franklin Ave. * Ig/aco, TX 76710
1-800-772-9440
TARGET
Proud to be a part of
College Station
Salutes
College Station Fire Department
for 25 years of service.
Target Stores,Inc.,
2100 Texas Ave. South
College Station, TX 77840
(409) 693-8400
James Haverland, Manager
CAR
Proud Supplier of
Uniforms for
College Station
Fire Department.
Sunnyland Ctr.
702A S. Texas Ave.
(409) 823-4296
Salutes the Men &
of College Station
Fire Department
for 25 years of
service.
Bryan, TX 77802
In Memory
of
David Wentrcek
Who served
College Station Fire Department
from
July 4, 1974 until he answered
the Lord's call on
April 29, ]975.
The Wentrcek Family
Industrial Fire World
Thank you for your years of service and
dedication to a job that only a very few are
cut out to perform.
Sincerely,
David & Lynn White: Publishers
Sheila Reed: Editor
Karen Osczarcak: Ad Sales
Melodic Layman, Amy Stock, Mandy Thomas, &
Kindra Voigt: Editorial Assistants
"You can expect quality
vehicles at Allen Honda"
...Call Collect
(409) 696-2424
7600 HWY 6, EAST BYPASS, COLLEGE STATION
The Ultralite® II Air Mask
A low-pressure (2216 or 3000 psig) SCBA
which accommodates five types of 30-
minute-rated cylinders. For maximum
weight reduction, the Ultralite I! Air Mask is
available with the MSA exclusive fully-
wound Composite II Cylinder, the Ultralite
II Air Mask weighs approximately 22
pounds, making it one of the lightest air
masks available. The Ultralite II Air Mask
may also be used with the fully-wound
Composite III Cylinder, pressurized at 3000
psig to provide 15 more cubic feet of air
than standard 30-minute cylinders. It can
also be used with a fiberglass hoop-wound
cylinder, aluminum cylinder or steel
cylinder, all of which are pressurized at
2216 psig.
MSA takes pride in supplying the men &
women of College Station Fire Department
with their breathing apparatus.
Randy Weyl
!Fire Service Specialist
MSA, P.O. 426
Pittsburgh, PA 15230
(412) 967-3256
Where Service Quality is the Difference.
FSM
Rental Service Corporation .
Rent Day, Week, or Month
We Pick Up, and Deriver
Sales of New & Used Equipment
24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE (779-0148)
Serving Central Texas Since 1968
(409) 693-1313
2301 Texas Ave, S.
Most Major Credit Cards Acce ~ted
RENTAL
SALES
SERVICE
SUPPLIES
AT&T
Congratulating
College Station
Fire Department
25 Years of Service
AT&T Wireless Services
2551 Texas Ave. S.
College Station, TX 77840
(409) 77%7000
Cellular (409) 777-7141
Fax (409) 777-7002
JAGDISH PATEL
Executive Manager
COLLEGE STATION
1503 S. Texas Ave. e College Station, TX 77840 "409
Owned & Operated by Quick Light Corporation
LIS GROUT
Broker Associate
Office: (409) 846-2894
Residence: (409) 693-6410
1003 University Drive East, College Station, Texas 77840
AssociaTion of Former Studenp.
of Texas A&M University
Congratulates
College Station
Fire DePartment
on 25 years of Service
to College Station,
Brazes County &
Texas A&M University
Phone (409) 845-7514
Fax (409) 862-2018
For Great Quaility and Service
YOUR FULL SERVICE PHOTO LAB
AND PORTRAIT STUDIO
I hr. Prints
I hr. Slides (110 Dominik)
Enlargements
Portrait Studio - Proofs back in 2 hrs
Passport Pictures
Video Transfer
Color Laser Copier
Black & White Services
Copy Negatives
Slide Duplicates
Prints from Slides
Slides from Prints
Mounting & Laminating
Custom Color Prints
110 Dominik 614 E. Villa Maria
College Station Bryan
764-0601 779-0402
Prescmted by
Atlanta 19964
Bryan. Coca-Coleu'Dr Pepper Company
Recognizes
College Station Fire Department
for their service to our communities on
the occasion o£their 25th Anniversary.
BRAZOS VALLEY
GERIATRIC CENTER
Newly Remodeled ~ IV Therapies
Medicare & Medicaid Certified ~ Hospice care
Physical, Occupational, Speech ~ Friendly staff
& Respiratory Therapy ~ Warm & comfortable
Specialized skin & wound care atmosphere
Therapeutic programs Respite care
A LIVING
CENTERS OF
AMERICA
FACILITY
1115 ANDERSON COLLEGE STATION, TX ??840 * 409-693-1515
Wal-Mart Discount Cities
1815 Brothers
College Station, TX 77845
Store Information (409) 693-3095
Automotive Center (409) 693-2073
Pharmacy (409) 693-3841
College Station
104 Texas Avenue
College Station, Texas 77840
Phone: (409) 846-7333
Fax: (409) 846-5479
Reservations: 1-800-221-2222
David Rich ards
Sales Manager
GRANT R. WOLFE, D.D.8
2101 TEXAS AVENUE S.
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS 77840
Office Hours
By Appointment
Telephone (409) 693-5130
/'.,%
Albertsons'
JOHN LITTON
Store Director
ALBERTSON'S, INC. / 2205 LONGMIRE
COLLEGE STAT ON, TEXAS 77845 / 409-764-3177
A NEW COMPANY WITH OLD FASHIONED VALUES
FIRE-SAFE
CHIMNEY SWEEPS
CLEANING * RE-LINING * CHIMNEY CAPS * INSPECTIONS
MIKE RUESINK
694-2519
A CLEAN CHIMNEY IS A SAFE ONE
Gibbons Creek
Black Bass/Crappie
Somerville
Hybrids/Whites
PLACE GUIDE SERVICE
Paul B. Place
Professional Licensed Guide
(409) 693-3017
(800) 673-3017
City of College Station
Police Department
Office: [409) 764-3600
FAX: (409) 764-3828
RO. Box 9960
2611 -A South Texas Avenue
College Station, TX 77842
~ CADILLAC Oldsmobile IStiZlJ
JEFF MacDONALD
General Manager - Sr. Vice President
ALLEN HONDA
7600 HWY 6 EAST BY-PASS
P.O. BOX G A
COLLEGE STATION, TX 77840
(409) 696-2424
ALLEN OLDS-CAD., INC.
2401 TEXAS AVENUE
BRYAN, TEXAS 77802
(409) 779-35 I6
(409) 8224111 FAX
City of College Station
Water Department
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
Police Department
Congratulations
on the College
Station Fire
Department's
25th anniversary
Office: 764-3638
PO Box 9960
College Station, TX 77842
Graphic Impact
Br¥on S. Apperson
Slides - Computer Printouts -
Color Laser Copies
Transparencies -
Lamination - Binding
and Many More Services!
4337 Wellborn Road
Bryan, IX 77801
phone {4091846-0665 fax [409]268-7643
g_impact@myfiad.m~t
LINCOLN MERCURY
Salutes the
College Station
Fire Department
on its 25th Anniversary
1351 Hwy 6 & East By Pass
College Station, TX 77845
Johnny Ray Ward E.M.T. (409)694-8330
Award Massage & Sports Therapy
Registered Massage Therapist
1808 G Brothers Blvd. C.S. Tx. 77845
Home & Office Calls
By Appt. Only
Table,& Chair Massage
Swedish/Sports/Relaxation
Thomas A. Franklin ~
Location Manager ~ ~
2901 Texas Ave. S. College Station, TX 77840
P.O. Box 9992 College Station, TX 77842
(409) 694-8615 Facsimile (409) 764-9363
TASEA
Texas Alcohol & Safety Education Agency
MIP Alcohol Awareness
Repeat Offender DWI Education
TABC Certification Class
contact: Bryan Apperson
4337 Wellborn Rd.
Bryan, TX 77801
open 9am- 5pm M-F
BRYAN FIRE DEPARTMENT
"DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS PROTECTING YOUR LIFE AND PROPEt~rY"
The Bryan Fire Department
is proud to salute
the men and women of the
College Station Fire Department
for 25 years of
excellence in service to the citizens
of Bryan/College Station.
iOPPER
Friends of the College Station Fire Department:
David Giordano
~,~0 Consulting
Rhonda Brinkmann
409-779-EDIT
FAX: 409422-3221
E-mail
wordsmith~aoLcom
P.O. Box 3864
Bryan, TX 778053864
Eric Hurt
'Bill Kennedy
/* ASSOCIATES
Therapeutic Massage
Susan P. Olson
massage@myriad.net
ISO4F Brothers Blvd.,College Station TX
Happy
from Thraen Properties
25th Anniversary!
P~ntal units available
tel. 693-9399
· , Sr and C~n~et~nee Center
Congratulations on Your Silver Anniversary
~l?om
Texas A&M
The same only different.
Union Pacific Resources is one of the nation's largest independent oil and gas exploration
and production companies. Although Union:Pacific Resources now has a new- signature;
their style has remained the same: leadership in the domestic oil and gas industry.
Congratulations to the College Station Fire Department for 25 years of outstanding service.
Union Pacific Resources
801 Cherry Street FortWorth, Texas 76102