The first volunteer fire department was started by Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia, PA, in 1736. Benjamin Franklin often wrote about the dangers of fire and the need for organized fire protection. After an extensive fire in Philadelphia in 1736. Franklin established the first all-volunteer fire brigade, which was known as the Union Fire Company and comprised 30 volunteers.
Hood County Station 70 VFD was established in 1969 with no building to call a fire station. Fire department meetings were inside the Oak Trail Shores Homeowners Association meeting room. During our early years, the volunteer firefighters used their own money to buy all their personal protective equipment needed to fight fires. Our first fire trucks were old, used military vehicles, upfitted with water tanks, hoses, and little gas-powered motors. Volunteer Firefighters would use fundraisers like cookouts, pancake breakfasts, and community events to help build up their treasury account. Our Fire Station was built with donations from the public, fundraisers, grants, and personal firefighters’ money out of their pockets.
Today, Hood County Station 70 VFD still relies on the county funds, donations, and fundraising to provide the necessary firefighter personal protective equipment, fire truck maintenance and repairs, and needed upkeep for the fire station.
Our Volunteer Firefighters are the Backbone of Community Safety.
From battling wildfires, structure fires, accidents, hazardous material incidents, and responding to medical emergencies. We also conduct fire prevention and community outreach programs. Volunteer firefighters wear many hats and perform a wide range of essential tasks to keep their communities safe.
Being a volunteer firefighter requires dedication, commitment, and willingness to drop everything at a moment’s notice to run towards someone’s call for help or a community emergency. Our volunteers receive specialized training to respond to any type of emergency. We are on call 24\7 and respond to emergencies as they arise.