History of the Pflugerville Fire Department

Prior to the Department's founding the merchants and residents of Pflugerville managed the threat of fire by forming a bucket brigade, keeping the fire buckets under the porch of the Steger's Store located at the present-day corner of Pecan Street and 1st Street.

As the once small community grew and historic droughts of the 1950s caused concern of fire among citizens the Pflugerville Volunteer Fire Department was formally chartered in 1955 and donations were collected to purchase a fire truck. For the price of $4,000 a 1955 Chevrolet 3800 by Simms Fire Equipment was purchased and the same day it was used to responded to a structure fire.

Shortly after the founding the PVFD purchased the land where the local men's shooting and bowling club called the Schuetzen Kegel Verein was located for $10.

After the Schuetzen Kegel Verein was razed the first fire station would later be dedicated in 1956 as the community Fire Hall where the current Fire Administration Building stands with the hope that “…the equipment housed…may not be needed, but at the same time it is the purpose and the desire of the Fire Department to stand ready at any and all times to make use of this equipment to the saving of property and of…lives.”

PFD Archives

These charter members formed the Pflugerville Fire Department July 6, 1955. 6 acres of land was deeded from the Pflugerville Schuetzen and Kegel Verein to the Fire Department.Seated: I.B. Krienke, Theodore Timmerman Jr., Otto Pfeil Jr., Arnold Arend, Alfred Mogonye, W.E. PflugerRow 2: Johnnie Oscar Malmquist, Leon Pfluger, Albert Priem, Burwell Knebel, Clarence Bohls, Armin Pfennig, Emil BohlsRow 3: Robert Fuchs, Unknown, A.G. Saegert, Charles Kuempel. Kermit Kuempel, Clarence Wieland, Willie Randig Fr., Kennith BohlsBack Row: Walter Priem, Willard Pfluger, Otto C. Pfluger, J.B. Marshall Sr., Max Kuempel Jr., Albert Remmert

1960's

This is the oldest known footage from 1966 showing the PVFD responding to a house fire.

1970's

1971 Main Street Fire

On the night of July 20th, 1971 was a historic moment for the PVFD when a structure caught fire in downtown Pflugerville destroying an entire block. Inadequate water supply was found to be one of the biggest problems in the Department's ability to perform fire suppression activities. Firefighters had to drive outside the city to refill the one tanker at the PVFD's disposal until other surrounding departments including; Austin, Round Rock, Taylor, Georgetown, Manor, Leander, Oak Hill, and Travis County Fire Control arrived to assist with a total of 80 firefighters and providing an additional eight tankers.

This incident resulted in the Department realizing the equipment being fielded was not sufficient to respond adequately and began initiatives to raise funds through bake sales, barbecues, and dances to purchase proper equipment.

PFD Archives

1980's

New Equipment

In 1982 a 1967 International VCO 190, the first Class A fire apparatus was placed into service, and in the mid-1980s saw bunker gear being issued to each firefighter for the first time.

Creation of TCRFPD No. 3

In August of 1985, Volunteers led the effort to form a rural fire prevention district and soon with voters' support Travis County Rural Fire Prevention District (RFPD) No.3 was formed and provided stable funding to the department by applying a 3-cent tax on every $100 of appraised property value.

PFD Archives

First Career Firefighter Hired

1986 saw the first career firefighter hired, Fire Chief Ronald G. Moellenberg.

Fire Station #2 Opened

In 1987 the founding of Fire Station #2 off of Thermal Drive in Wells Branch saw the district expanding its services.

With the growth in Pflugerville and the surrounding communities continuing to grow the demand for emergency services continued to increase. The RFPD provided a reliable source of funds up until the economic downturn of the late 1980s and the early 1990s resulting in reduced funding but with an increase in the demand for services.

1990's

Creation of TCESD No. 2

In 1991 citizens in the community called for a vote to convert the RFPD to an emergency service district. In January of 1992, the Travis County Emergency Services District (ESD) No. 2 was formally chartered giving the district a new tax limit of up to 10 cents for every $100 of appraised property value to provide Basic Life Support (BLS) care in addition to fire suppression. The PVFD turned over all assets to the ESD which began acquiring additional fire apparatus and placed the first career firefighters on a 24-hour shift assignment in 1996.

Fire Station #3 Opened

In October of 1996, Fire Station #3 opened its doors.

Fire Station #4 Opened

Station #4 opened on October 4th, 1997.

Fire Station #2 Relocated

November 4th, 1999 saw the relocation of Station #2 to the corner of Bratton Lane and Shoreline Drive from the original location off of Thermal Drive.

Central Fire Station and the Training Field Dedications

This Decade also saw the reconstruction of the Central Fire Station to accommodate 24 hour staffing. On November 6th, 1999 the Central Fire Station opened its doors once again and celebrated its reopening and remodel with a dedication ceremony. This same day we also saw the dedication of the districts new training center located at 18412 Cameron Road

The photos above are from the Central Station Dedication Ceremony. November 6th, 1999

PFD Archives

Above is the Central Fire Station during the teardown and remodel process in the late 1990's.

PFD ArchivesLeft to Right1997 Pierce Quantum Heavy-Duty Rescue, 1996 Pierce Quantum Pumper, 1996 Pierce Quantum Pumper, 1994 Pierce Dash Pumper, 1987 Pierce Arrow Pumper

2000's

The 2000s saw exponential growth in the community and the need for additional services.

In 2008 the addition of the Administration Building and the Conference and Education Center were built on the same property as the Central Fire Station allowing for administrative staff to centralized in the district.

First Quint Placed into Service

In 2003 the Department placed its first Aerial Apparatus in service, a 2002 Pierce Dash Quint.

PFD Archives

PFE PhotosQuint 211 a 2002 Pierce Dash 100' Heavy-Duty Aerial Platform

PFD ArchivesQuint 211 on a fire off of Portchester Castle Path on 6/27/2011

2010's

Move to Providing Fire Based ALS Services

In 2014 the need for dedicated community Advanced Life Support (ALS) services was noticed by the Department. That same year voters approved an increase in the sales tax allocation for the ESD to begin implementing a plan to provide these services.

In 2017 TCESD #2 placed in service its first ambulance and by the end of the year 4 ambulances were in service providing ALS care to the citizens of Pflugerville, the ETJ of Austin, and unincorporated Travis County.

PFD ArchivesLeft to RightLT/Paramedic S. Blocker, LT/Paramedic J. Tiemann, FF/Paramedic R. Strohacker

2020's

Fire Station #5 Opened

April of 2020 saw the addition of a 5th ambulance in conjunction with the grand opening of Fire Station #5.

ISO Class 1 Department

In April of 2021, the District earned a class 1 public protection classification from the Insurance Service Office (ISO). This is the highest rating a fire department can achieve, and only 1% of departments have this rating across the United States and less than 5% in Texas. Insurance for commercial properties and for many residential insurance companies recognize this rating and provide discounts to homeowners. A 10% discount on the average homeowners' insurance policy can result in approximately $340 savings per year. Maintaining this rating is the next challenge for the District while we try to keep up with the incredible population growth in the area.

Creation of Cadet Academy

With the introduction of the cadet program in 2021 the department has grown exponentially ever since.

In July of 2022, 36 cadets graduated with Class 31, the first cadet class the department hosted.

On April 28th, 2023; 33 cadets graduated with Class 33, the second cadet class hosted.

Chief Ron Moellenberg's Retirement

In September of 2021, the department saw the retirement of Fire Chief Ron G. Moellenberg after 44 years with the department.

Fire Station #6 Opened

In October of 2023, Fire Station #6 opened off the corner of Weiss Lane and Wolf Pack Drive.

Evolution of Staffing

In 1986 the department saw the first career fire chief hired, Fire Chief Ronald G. Moellenberg. 10 years later in 1996 the department hired its first career firefighters. Since then the department had steadily grown to a combined force of almost 220 sworn firefighters across all 3 shifts as of July of 2024. In 2017 ALS ambulance services began to be provided by the department leading to a need for ambulances and paramedics. Soon we saw graduates of the departments paramedic program leading to more qualified staff on duty and ambulances that were staffed 24 hours a day. With the introduction of the cadet program in 2021 the department has grown exponentially ever since. In July of 2022 36 cadets graduated with Class 31, the first cadet class the department hosted. Prior to the graduation of Class 31 in 2022 the department had 137 sworn personnel across all 3 shifts.

Staffing in the Late-90's

In September of 1997 prior to the opening of Station 4 in October of 1997 staffing across all 3 stations consisted of part-time and full-time firefighters. The Central Fire Station had 1 captain and 3 part-time firefighters 12 hours a day on weekdays. Fire Station #2 (off of Thermal Drive in Wells Branch) had 2 full-time firefighters, 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week. In addition Station 2 also had 1 part-time firefighter, 12 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week. At the time Station #2 was the busiest in the district handling almost all calls along IH-35 and many along Wells Branch Parkway. Fire Station #3 had 2 full-time firefighters 24 hours-a-day. After the opening of Fire Station #4 in October of 1997 2 additional part-time firefighters were stationed at Station 4, 12 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week.

2009 vs 2024 Department Growth

Roster.pdf

Daily staffing for the whole department in June of 2009 in addition to all civilian positions within the department.

In June of 2009 the Pflugerville Fire Department had 3 engine companies, 1 quint company, and 1 rescue company staffed full time. Squads (essentially brush trucks at the time) were cross staffed in addition to Tender 231.

Copy of Copy of B-Shift Staffing - 6_28_24 Moves.pdf

In comparison, the daily daily staffing for B-Shift in June of 2024 is shown. Around this time we saw a 5th engine company stood up in addition to 2 quint companies, 2 battalions, 3 squads, 4 medic units, 1 safety, and 1 blocking unit all hard staffed 24 hours a day with an additional 5 cross staffed brush trucks available throughout the district.

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