The PFD Auxiliary is a service organization formed in the mid-70s to support the Pedernales Fire Department in fundraising efforts, community awareness/education, and emergency support. Initially, the Auxiliary had a much different role when all the Fire Dept. members were volunteers. There was a community calling tree, and when there was a significant fire or event, community members were called upon to make sandwiches and bring cold drinks to the station so the Auxiliary could get the supplies to them. For just such a call, dozens of community members kept a loaf of bread and lunch meat in their freezer.
As the years went by, a natural maturation of a small fire department was inevitable, so the structure of the PFD changed. New and more efficient equipment was added that could carry and contain emergency supplies/food and drinks, and the introduction of paid employees in the 1990s changed the role of the Auxiliary.
Today, the main function of the Auxiliary is fundraising and still some emergency situation support. After the Labor Day fire of 2012, an Auxiliary Emergency Response committee was formed to help with the administrative support at the Station, the coordination of the food for the hundreds of firefighters, and the messaging to the community about the needs of the affected community members.
We host a couple of fundraising events each year—a Crawfish Boil in the Spring and our Firehouse Feast in September/October. These events are so well attended that they end up being the kind of community event where neighbors see neighbors, sit and visit, and enjoy the ambiance. We could not do what we do without the fabulous support of the community.
If you are interested in becoming part of this group, join us for our monthly meeting, usually on the second Tuesday of the month, at Station One at 801 Bee Creek Road. For more information, call Station One at (512) 264-1476, and a Board member will contact you.