Boerne Volunteer Fire Department

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History

The Boerne Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) is a fire department located in Boerne, Texas, United States. It was founded in 1889, making it one of the oldest volunteer fire departments in Texas.

Founding of a Fire Station

In January 1903, a group of concerned citizens called a meeting to organize a permanent firefighting company, which they named the Boerne Volunteer Fire Company (BVFC). The group of citizens elected F.W. Homer as fire chief, George Zoeller as assistant fire chief, Bruno Wendler as secretary and H.J. Graham as treasurer.

Along with the chief and officers listed above, the citizens listed below were the original members of the Boerne Volunteer Fire Company. Each paid annual dues of one dollar to join.

 

  • Max Beseler
  • August Dienger
  • George Fonthou
  • J.J. Gutherie
  • Adolf Harz
  • Adolf Kaizer
  • Adolf Kutzer
  • Dan Meckel, Jr.
  • Arnold Toepperwien
  • H. Wendler, Jr.
  • Arthur Vogt
  • Adolf Zoelle

 

Equipping the Boerne Volunteer Fire Company

By the end of the first month of its founding, the BVFC had received a donation of a fire bell from the Heursinger Hardware Company. They also purchased a hook and ladder wagon to be built by Mr. Harz of Boerne. 

By the end of February, the wagon was almost completed and the BVFC had purchased 26 fire buckets. A larger bell had also been ordered. By May, the bell had been installed at Homer’s Livery Stable and the company had tested and accepted a fire engine.

The new horse drawn engine was built by the Howe Engine Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. The engine is still in working order and in the possession of the Boerne Volunteer Fire Department, as well as the hook and ladder wagon mentioned earlier. The BVFC then borrowed $200 from H.J. Graham to pay for the engine in full in order to get a price discount.

In 1913, the department acquired its first fire truck, a 1913 Model T Ford that was modified to carry a chemical tank and hose. The department continued to grow over the years, adding more equipment and firefighters. In 1929, the BVFC purchased a La France fire engine, at the time considered to be the worlds best fire engine. *More info to be added

 

Building a Fire Station

Work on plans for the first fire station was started around this time. By the July 1903 meeting, a proposal for the engine house was read by Max Beseler. Ballots were taken as to the location for the new engine house and resulted in the King and King Lumber Company site being selected. The members then moved to start construction and borrow up to $300 to pay for the engine house. By December 1903, the engine house was completed and the BVFC meetings were moved to that location.

In 1966, the BVFC moved into its first modern fire station, which was located on Main Street. This station served the department for over 30 years until it became too small to meet the department’s needs. In 1997, a new fire station was built on Johns Road to accommodate the department’s growing fleet of fire trucks and equipment. Through the years, the Boerne Volunteer Fire Company became the Boerne Volunteer Fire Department. The original engine house site has moved to several locations but now resides a 726 North Main Street

 

Today, the BVFD is a modern, combination fire department comprised of paid and volunteer members that serves the city of Boerne and the surrounding area. The department is made up of approximately 50 firefighters and support personnel who respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The BVFD provides a wide range of services, including fire suppression, technical rescue operations, hazardous materials response, and public education.