Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department
P.O. Box 4141, Bergheim, TX 78004
Greetings and a happy summer to all. It is time to bring the community up to date on the progress of the Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department. Our mission, as the Board of Directors, along with all the countless people who have so generously donated their time and energy, is to lay the best ground-work possible so that the BVFD will always be prepared to serve the needs of our community. This process has moved along at a pace that some may think is slow. However, rest assured that every item presented to this board and the volunteers is weighted and measured carefully to ensure that the safety of our community is well served. This past spring, the general contractor, Hooker Construction, completed the exterior of the building. This newly enclosed and secured facility has allowed us to safely house our first fire truck and in May, allowed us to store the many items donated for our huge, successful spring garage sale fund raiser! Much recognition goes out to all the hard working committee chairs and volunteers who contributed their time and items toward this very profitable fund raiser. An event of such magnitude required many hours of time, planning, commitment and hard physical labor. Thanks to all for such a tremendous endeavor. In the meantime, the work continues toward an October 1, 2008 completion date. When completed, the BVFD will reflect the architectural style found in the Bergheim area in the following ways:
Additionally, the first group of BVFD volunteer fire fighters attended a seventy-two hour training session facilitated by the Boerne Fire Department. These trained fire fighters have established a solid volunteer base for the department. Thanks go out to these eight BVFD volunteers, the Boerne Fire Chief, and the Training Officer for their time and support. We look forward to recruiting more men and women from our community who will join the BVFD as fire fighters or in some other capacity. If interested, please contact Chief Jeff Hoffstadt, or any board member for more information. Currently, the fire station is equipped with a working pumper truck with ladders, hoses, nozzles, and a radio that were donated by the Waring Volunteer Fire Department. This first piece of equipment is truly appreciated and will be benchmarked as the first BVFD service truck. Other donations, such as bunker gear, helmets and boots, have come from the Castle Hills and Terrill Hills Fire Departments. Many thanks go to these generous donors and to the following people:
However, the work is not over. The BVFD is at a point where EVERYONE NEEDS TO GET INVOLVED with time and donations. Yes, both is needed! As your community volunteer fire department, each truck should be supplied with only the best fire fighting equipment, the best medical and EMS UNIT equipment, the best high water rescue equipment, and the best rescue truck equipped with the very important “jaws of life”. More especially, each fire truck should be supplied with the best protective equipment for our fire fighters. It is important that the department have what it takes to respond quickly to a house fire and be readily prepared to extinguish a brush fire before it gets out of control. This can only be achieved through the financial and volunteer support of this community. Your much needed involvement today will benefit the community tomorrow. It will bring safety and peace of mind to our service area, now and in the future. Bergheim Fire Department and Community volunteers are also needed to serve on various committees. Because the station house was designed with the intent of being multi purpose, you can volunteer, not only to fight fires and perform rescues, but to manage usage of the building, to help with fund raisers, voting location, meeting places for support groups, local clubs, public forums on conservation, boy scouts, recycling, xeriscape landscaping, rain water collection system demonstrations, and more. Your efforts count, and your involvement is welcomed. In closing, the BVFD second annual fund raiser is taking place on September 20 at the Anhalt location off HWY 46. We hope this year will again bring everyone in our community to join in and support the Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department. As president of the BVFD board, I thank our community for all your past generosity, time and energy. With your support we are less at risk. With you we stand united in a community that recognizes the challenge ahead, and together we can accomplish this task. Thank you for your support, have a great and safe summer, and pray for rain. Best regards to all, Tom Laurin
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To Volunteer or Donate Call 210 663 4340 ___________________________________________________________________
Some pictures from Anhalt 2008 |
The Bergheim Volunteer Fire Station barbecue fundraiser at Anhalt was the most successful ever. On the day of the event the fire station took in approximately $31,000, the majority of that coming from the silent and live auction. This income, combined with contributions from those who could not attend, will go a long way toward finishing the construction of the building, which is nearing completion.
Contributions from community minded citizens in the area have continued to arrive in the Fire Station post office box. Year-end contributions to the Fire Station are tax deductible and can be mailed to Bergheim VFD, P.O. Box 4141, Bergheim, TX 78004. By contacting any board member, anyone wishing to make contributions of highly appreciated stock can also be accommodated. Contributions postmarked on or before December 31 are deductible.