Hudson Fire-Rescue
"Our Family Protecting Your Family"
Hudson Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
3731 Ted Trout Dr
Hudson, TX 75904
ph: 936-875-4728
fax: 936-875-5889
admin
1974 - 1979
In 1974 a handful of Hudson Lions Club members realized the need for fire protection in our community. Some of these Lions Club members were Hayne Daniel, Helen Counts, L.B. "Jigg" Smith and Felton Lemke. With backing from the community the Lions Club was able to raise enough money to purchase our first truck from the Texas Forest Service and the Hudson Lions Club Volunteer Fire Department was born. Felton Lemke was named the first Fire Chief. Felton and a few others like Bill Beaty, Robert Covington, Sylvester Guerra, Gowland Bass and Coleman Standley lead the way to what is now one of the finest Volunteer Fire Departments in Angelina County
Sometime around January of 1975 the name was changed to Hudson Volunteer Fire Department and in February of 1975 our Articles of Incorporation were drawn up and signed by Hayne Daniel, Helen Counts and L.B. "Jigg" Smith forming
Hudson Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
Around 1975 - 1976 with the use of some land provided by the City of Hudson, the Hudson Fire Department was able to construct what is still Station 1. It had two bays on the front and one on the side.
From around 1976 to 1979 the Department was able to acquire another surplus 2-1/2 ton Army truck and a 3/4 ton Army truck which was converted into fire trucks. The 2-1/2 ton truck was used for fighting structure fires because it could haul 750 gallons of water. It also supported the 3/4 ton truck on grass and woods fires.
1980 - 1989
Around 1980, the Texas Forest Service introduced a program that would allow Volunteer Fire Departments to purchase grass trucks on a cost share bases. The Hudson Fire Department was able to acquire our 1980 Dodge Power Wagon for around 5400.00 which included the tank and hose reel. This unit is still in service today.
Around 1983 the Department realized a need for better coverage on State Hwy 103 West. The decision was made to construct Station 2 which is next to the Woodlawn Water Supply. This station has 3 bays and today houses Engine 2, Tanker 2 and Brush 2.
In 1984 the Hudson Fire Department celebrated 10 years of service to the City of Hudson and the Hudson School District.
Around 1985 the Department was able to add a fourth bay to station 1. It was added to the front of the building which would allow for another fire truck to be put into service. This unit was a converted Army truck but had a 500 gpm mid-ship pump which greatly improved the capabilities of the Department. This unit stayed in service for about 4 or 5 years and was replaced with a pumper purchased from Eastex Freeway VFD. This unit had a front mount pump and has since been sold to Central Volunteer Fire Department.
1990 - 1999
In 1994, the Hudson Fire Department celebrated 20 years of service to the City of Hudson and the Hudson School District
In 1998, the Hudson Fire Department was able to secure a loan from our bank and purchased Tanker 2. This unit was bought from Fout Bros in Smyrna, Ga. We paid about 54,000.00 for this unit and it is still in service today.
2000 - 2009
In 2002 the Hudson Volunteer Fire Department joins the World Wide Web.
www.hudsonfirerescue.org was established
In January of 2003 the decision was made made to purchase our Thermal Imaging Camera. Video overlay and video transmitting options was purchased with the camera.
In 2003, the Department was able to purchase a new Crimson engine from Metro Fire in Houston, Texas. This unit was purchased without any grant money and the total cost with equipment and gear added was around 205,000.00. We pay yearly notes on this unit and it will be paid off around February of 2014.
In August of 2003 the Hudson Fire Department received a 501(c)3 status from the IRS.
In 2004 the Hudson Fire Department celebrated 30 years of service to the City of Hudson and the Hudson School District.
During the February 2005 Business Meeting, the Hudson Fire Department voted to re-establish the Hudson Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. Since this time the Ladies have had several fund raisers to support the Fire Department.
In May of 2005 the Department enclosed the side area of Station 1 giving us an additional bay for a truck and a place to house the SCBA compressor which we acquired from Lufkin Fire Department.
In 2006, the Department purchased Tanker 1 from David Cook Trucks and Equipment in Florien, La. This tanker was purchaed with the help of grant money.
In September of 2006 the training tunnel was completed with the help of the Ladies Auxiliary. The Fire Department built the tunnel and the Ladies provided the slab and awning. This facility is used by both the Hudson Fire Department and Angelina College Fire Academy.
In 2006, East Texas K-9 Search and Rescue merged with the Hudson Fire Department and formed the Hudson Fire Department K-9 Search and Rescue team. The Search and Rescue team holds their own meetings and elects their own officers. The Boy Scouts of America Venture Crew is a big part of the Search and Rescue team.
In June of 2007, the Regional Advisary Committee awarded Hudson Fire Department grant money in the amount of 8,175.00 towards the purchase of a Cardiac Monitor for Rescue 1.
On July 14, 2008 the Hudson Fire Department added Ladder 1 to our fleet. With the new State law in affect, the City of Lufkin was able to donate the ladder truck to us. Hudson signed a 10 year mutual aid agreement with Lufkin in return for the truck. Our Ladder Truck will be sent to Lufkin on request if they have a large working fire.
In 2008 the Department realized the need for additional space and truck bays. In 2009 the addition of a building behind Station 1 was completed. It allowed for two more bays and some much needed storage area.
2010 -2019
In February of 2010, the Department with the help of grant money from RAC which is our Regional Advisary Committee, was able to purchase air bags. These three air bags will be used in rescue situations and is a valuable asset to the Department
On June 11, 2011 Hudson Fire Chief Marcial Foisie and Lt Caleb Ramsey took delivery of the newest member of our fleet. A 2011 four wheel drive Chevrolet Tahoe. This unit will be Squad 1 and will serve as a First Response vehicle on med calls and will also serve as a Command Post on multi-agency incidents. This unit was made available by a grant submitted
by Lt Caleb Ramsey.
January 27, 2012 Hudson Fire Department added another member to our fleet. Caleb Ramsey, Jeff Barker and Frankie "Hawk" Ornduff went to San Antonio to pick up our 2012 Ford F550 brush truck nicknamed "Big Foot". This unit is a 4 door truck and has a 400 gallon tank with foam capabilities. "Big Foot" features a remote controlled water cannon
mounted on the front bumper. This unit was purchased from Siddons-Martin with the help of grant money.
On May 4, 2012 the Hudson Fire Department added a new Ford F450 to our fleet of vehicles. This unit will be our new Brush 2 replacing the Dodge Power Wagon at Station 2. This new unit has a 400 gallon tank with foam capabilities and has the FireCom Wireless Radio System. The 1980 Dodge Power Wagon will be refurbished and placed into service as Brush 3. This new F450 was purchased from Wild Fire Truck & Equipment without the help of grant money.
In August of 2012, Engine 2, a Texas Forest Service truck on loan to us, was taken out of service. With the permission of Texas Forest Service, this unit found a new home with Apple Springs Fire Department in Trinity County.
During the September 2012 business meeting, the descision was made to donate the old Chevrolet brush truck to Rivercrest/Redland Fire Department. RC/R Fire Department was in need of a brush truck so the members of HFD decided that this was the best choice for old Brush 1's new home.
During the March 2013 Business Meeting, the descision was made to have a 2 bay Lean-To shed built on the South end of the back bay. This would provide covered shelter for the Search & Rescue trailer and other equipment. Greg Strbon was awarded the bid and in June of 2013 the shed was completed.
In July 2013 the decision was made to add a covered awning to the front East Side of Station1. This will be used to protect the A/C units and generator as well as provide a place to sit outside and cook during family nights and fundraisers. Greg Strbon was awarded the bid.
In 2014, the Hudson Fire Department celebrated 40 years of service to the City of Hudson & Hudson School District
In April 2014, discussion to add 10' to the back of Station 2 in order to accomodate the new Tanker/Engine. Greg Strbon was awarded the bid and in March the slab was poured. By the middle of May the addition was completed. Cost was 3,300.00 for the slab and 3,400.00 for material.
April 26th 2014 was a special day for the Fire Department. A community wide event was held at Station 1 to celebrate 40 years of servcie to the community. HHS Drum Line, Glenn Lenderman, Lufkin Crime Stoppers Band, Terrie Henson's Herbie the Love Bug, Joe Cuellar and K&B Moonwalk were on hand to help make the event a success. Behind the scenes support came from The City of Hudson, Keep Hudson Beautiful, Hudson Police Department HHS Key Club, Bethlehem Church, Little Bit's Creation who donated the 40th cake, staff from Hudson Fire Department's Total Insanity and members of the Hudson Fire Department K-9 Search & Rescue team.
On May 15th, Chief Marcial Foisie and Assistant Chief Jeff Barker, who flew to Luverne, Mn, took delivery of the Fire Departments newest member of the fleet. A 3,000 gallon tandom axle Tanker/Pumper built by Midwest Fire. The custom truck was built on a Peterbilt chasis and was purchased with a 50% grant at a total cost of 220,000.00. The new Tanker/Pumper will be housed at Station 2 and will replace Attack 2.
During October 2014, the Department had 3 meetings for the discussion of purchasing a 75' quint to serve as an engine for Station 1. The decision was made to purchase a used truck from M3 Fire Apparatus in Lawrenceburg, Tn. The ladder truck, a 1996 HME Ferrara, has a 1250 gpm Hale pump with a 500 gallon poly tank and seats six firefighters. M3's asking price was 132,000.00. The 1993 Ford L8000 tanker and the 1993 Chevrolet rescue truck was traded in toward the purchase price bringing the cost down to 100,000.00. The department made a down payment of 13,000.00 making the financed price 87,000.00. Mark Loose, Chris Smith, Jacob Smith and Robert Smith left Sunday morning, December 13th and returned with the ladder truck around 7:30 the following evening.
In August 2015 HFD's Explorer Program was revised to allow the youth of our community, who are between 14 years old and 17 years old, an opportunity to join the Fire Department. Up until now, since the explorer program was implemented several years ago, explorers had to be a son or daughter of an active HFD firefighter.
On November 23, 2018, 5 members drove to Lone Star Emergency Group in Wilmer, Texas to pick up our new ladder truck which was purchased from Ferrara Fire Appartus. Members that made the trip were Chief Marcial Foisie, Assistant Chief Caleb Ramsey, President Robert Smith, Captain Jeff Barker and member Mark Loose. This unit was purchased without the help of grant money.
Copyright 2014 Hudson Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.. All rights reserved.
Hudson Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
3731 Ted Trout Dr
Hudson, TX 75904
ph: 936-875-4728
fax: 936-875-5889
admin