Pasadena Volunteer Fire Department

The Pasadena Volunteer Fire Department (PVFD) in Pasadena, Texas, United States has a membership that includes over 190 active and 45 semi-active firefighters. The department responds to approximately 170 alarms per month including technical rescue calls, and hazardous materials incidents, within the almost 60 square miles of the City of Pasadena, plus its Mutual Aid Agreement areas.

The City of Pasadena itself was incorporated in 1928, and the Pasadena Volunteer Fire Department was established shortly thereafter in 1930 with a base membership of 25 firemen. The Pasadena Volunteer Fire Department is the lead agency for fire suppression and rescue response for the City of Pasadena, Texas, and has mutual aid agreements with all of its neighboring cities as well as many other nearby municipal and industrial fire departments. Emergency medical services are provided by a private ambulance service under contract to the city.

The PVFD further provides mutual aid fire protection to Ellington Field, Johnson Space Center, and the University of Houston-Clear Lake. It is also an active member of the Channel Industrial Mutual Aid (CIMA) organization, which is a conglomeration of municipal and industrial fire departments that respond to the numerous petrochemical plants in the region.

PVFD is a department that prides itself on its training and tactics used to protect life and property. The highways and industry in PVFD's district also tax the department's abilities on a regular basis. With this in mind, members are trained in the department's fire academy and then assigned to a station. All members further their training through regularly scheduled drill sessions at their stations. Members of the department are also encouraged to attend classes at Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), the Texas A&M Fire School, CIMA classes and drills, as well as other department classes.

The command structure of the fire department includes a paid (career) Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief, as well as a District Chief, Captain, and Lieutenant for each station. The PVFD's administrative staff officers consist of an Executive Board, Pension Board, Secretary, Treasurer, and an Assistant Secretary/Treasurer. The department also maintains a training staff, medical officer, supply officer, and Reporter-Historian. Rounding out its support staff are the safety staff, chaplain corps, public liaison officer and information technology officer. PVFD is also a sister organization to the Pasadena Fire Marshal's Office, which conducts inspections, fire prevention, and origin and cause investigations.

The department maintains a fleet of over 40 pieces of fire apparatus as well as multiple boats housed in 9 stations with one additional headquarters building. The oldest apparatus in the fleet is Pasadena's very first fire engine, a 1929 American LaFrance pumper nicknamed "Old Betsy". This classic American LaFrance still drives in local parades and to special events within the community. A state of the art, live fire, burn building is located at PVFD's training field.

References

* [http://www.pasadenavfd.com/ Pasadena Volunteer Fire Department]