Our history
The Los Fresnos Volunteer Fire Department (LFVFD) was organized as the result of a fire at the Tandy Gin during the cotton ginning season of 1948. During this season, Tandy Gin lost a large cotton house due to fire. On October 28, 1948, Rev. E. A. Rader called a meeting at the Los Fresnos City Hall for the purpose of organizing a volunteer fire department that would prevent another Tandy Disaster.
On October 28, 1948, Rev. E. A. Rader, D. Cheshire, C. Brown, H. Nixon, T. Darby, B. Eller, D. Schmitt, T. Schmitt, E. Stout, Herb Watson, and Harry Watson, Jr. formed the Los Fresnos Volunteer Fire Department. Later that year, J. Carr, Ernie E. Hollon, G. Nixon, B. Nakayama, C. W. Arnold, S. Pederson, C. Macomb, and Bob Walker joined. These men are the charter members of the department.
In October of 1948 Rev. Radar was elected the first chief of the department and was voted the first honorary life member in 1950 when he retired.
Using funds subscribed by businessmen in the City of Los Fresnos and the surrounding area, they were able to purchase a 110 Mach Crash Truck with 500 gpm front-mounted pump and a 550 gallon booster tank from Army surplus. On December 20, 1948, the City of Los Fresnos agreed to fund all expenses for upkeep and repairs on the fire truck. In December of 1948, this young department answered three blazes. One at the airport, one at Los Fresnos School, and one on Whipple Rd. Smoke-eaters were firmly entrenched in the hearts of their fellow townsmen before the turn of the year.
In 1951 the department purchased a 1936 Lincoln Hose and Chemical truck from Weslaco which carried 1000 feet of 2 1/2" hose and a chemical extinguisher. This equipment was successfully used on a number of occasions and was retired from service in 1956.
In addition to the two trucks, the department owned its own fire station which they built on a lot in central Los Fresnos, purchased on September 13, 1949 at a cost of $300. This fire station was a modern concrete block building in keeping with the architecture of the area. The department also had the loan of a building across from the fire station to use as a meeting and recreational hall.
On February 25, 1955, the department purchased a 500 gpm triple combination American LaFrance pumper on a Ford chassis. This truck was purchased with funds donated by local citizens.
The Los Fresnos Volunteer Fire department has continued to grow in size and has been providing its dedicated service for 75 years.
In July 2017, station 2 was opened in Bayview, Texas which allowed for fire apparatus to be placed in the area and shorten response times. This station was dedicated to David and Richard Meyn, who were both integral members of the department, and is nicknamed the "Meyn station".
In October 2018, the Los Fresnos Fire Department moved to a new fire station on 100 Rodeo Dr in Los Fresnos. This facility is a joint station with Los Fresnos EMS and it has 32,000 sq ft available for living, equipment, and training.
Today, the department remains an all volunteer force. The Los Fresnos Volunteer Fire Department is owned and operated by 35 active volunteer firefighters. Our fleet consists of twelve apparatus. We respond to structure fires, automobile accidents, grass fires, and any other rescue incidents. The department still receives private donations, with the larger part of funding attained through contracts with the City of Los Fresnos and Cameron County.
