A Word from Chief Haden
On behalf of the men and women of the Pedernales Fire Department, I want to welcome you to the new PFD Auxiliary website. We hope you are able to easily get familiar with the layout so that you can always have access to the latest information about auxiliary events! I believe this newest model of communication will be very helpful in keeping us all better connected. Our department is made up of a group of dedicated firefighters who serve the community 24/7 from our three fully staffed stations. They are not alone. The auxiliary has a long history of service to these firefighters, and their efforts have led to enormous gains in the ways we serve you. Thank you for your continued support of our department through the auxiliary.
In this issue, I want to share one of the mental images that I always think of when it comes to the history of our auxiliary. When I joined the Pedernales Fire Department, I did not know much about the roles that an auxiliary plays in a local fire department. While learning about our history, I always love hearing the stories about our volunteer fire department days. I enjoy looking at the pictures of volunteer firefighters standing by the old fire apparatus that they personally maintained to keep their community safe. I can picture these firefighters responding to fires in the area and risking their lives for their friends and families. What I never included in my mental picture of those calls was the support branch of our mission, the auxiliary. I have heard so many stories of our auxiliary members jumping up to serve on these same calls in many ways, including by making meals to keep the firefighters going. Our auxiliary has a long history of taking care of us in many ways. From providing our volunteers in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s with sandwiches and water bottles to last year’s fundraising that provided new portable radios that allow our firefighters to work more effectively with responders from other agencies. Our department benefits from the efforts of the auxiliary, and we appreciate their continuous support!
Tony Haden
Fire Chief
Pedernales Fire Department
