Fire Department History

Our History – Continually Striving to Provide Quality Service

The residents of Highland Village determined the need for fire protection and established an all-volunteer Fire Department in 1971 to provide coverage to the community. Today, the Highland Village Fire Department maintains a highly trained compliment of volunteers and has added 8 full-time personnel in the last two years.

The Department has meticulously strived to maintain an accurate history through the compilation of information from current and previous members of the Highland Village Fire Department.

1971

City Council passed an ordinance creating the Highland Village Fire Department. Robert Bridges was the City Administrator and the Mayor was Jim Addison.

1972

Highland Village purchased a 1948 Ahrens-Fox 750-gallon pumper for $2,500, 1,000 feet of used 2 ½" hose for $0.10 per foot, and 500 feet of used 1 ½" hose for $0.10 per foot from the City of Dallas, Texas. Mayor Addison donated the 5% down payment for the pumper and arranged for a loan at the bank for the balance. Mayor Addison composed a letter requesting $50 per household to pay for the above purchase. A total of $4,300 was received.

The original members of the department were Robert Bridges, Robert DuVall, Bill Parsons, Bill Ehman, Bob Galloway, Tom Lett, and Charles Kuykendall.

Bob Galloway, a Dallas firefighter was elected the first Chief of the department. Robert DuVall was elected Assistant Chief.

The Double Tree Ranch became the first home of the department where the engine was covered with a tarpaulin.

1973

A pole shed was constructed to protect the engine from exposure to the elements. The floor was gravel and it had one florescent light.

On April 12, 1973 the Fire Department used the recently purchased fire engine on a structure fire on Highland Lake Dr. The fire hydrant ran out of water and the engine was used to draft from the lake. The home was a total loss.

In August, while responding to a barn fire the engine ran off the road. The engine rolled down an incline toward the lake as it rounded the corner on Highland Village Road at Chisum Trail. This was due to the lights failing and the water shifting as it rounded the bend. Robert DuVall was treated at the Denton Hospital for a fractured vertebra. Fred Chance worked to restore the engine.

1975

On April 7, 1975 Chief Galloway resigned and moved to Dallas. Bill Ehman became the second Chief of the Department. Bob Hughes became the second Assistant Chief.

On July 14, 1975 Chief Barfknecht became the third Chief of the Department. Chief Barfknecht appointed Bill Parsons as Assistant Chief and David Lasher as the training officer. Jess Smith and Denny Hauser were selected as the first Team Captains.

The 1948 Ahrens-Fox engine was refurbished.

1976

The Fire Department purchased a 1952 Dodge Power Wagon for use as a grass firefighting vehicle. Under the supervision of Eddie Williams and in the workshop of Bill Ehman the conversion of this vehicle was completed. Mrs. Robert Cleveland, fourth Vice President of the Highland Village Women's Club, presented a donation of $500 to pay off the balance of this vehicle.

A garage with concrete floor was erected on the Double Tree Ranch to house the fire department.

1977

On February the first "Firemans Ball" was held at the Double Tree Ranch to provide funds for the Fire Department.

The first 14 members of the Highland Village Fire Department receive Firefighter Certificates from the Texas State Firemens & Fire Marshals Association.

The department's first new fire engine is received. This engine consisted of a Ford F-150 chassis with a Ward La France 750-GPM pumper.

Twenty-three voice command radios were purchased to alert volunteers of emergencies. During office hours City Hall would set off the tones for emergencies. After business hours the Denton County Sheriffs Department handled emergency dispatch. This system was replaced by a joint dispatch venture with Flower Mound. All police and fire were dispatch was handled through Flower Mound dispatch.

1978

A van was purchased from a TV repair service for use as an EMS first response emergency vehicle. This van is equipped with medical supplies including a resuscitation device.

Lewisville Fire Department provides primary ambulance service to the citizens of Highland Village.

1979

Fire department purchases new Truck for fighting brush fires.

1982

The first EMT class is held in the council chambers.

Highland Village Fireman's Association purchases a new modular ambulance with Association funds and fund raising events.

1983

Ambulance service started on January 1st. at 12:05am.

Fire Department initiates the first Highland Village parade. This parade took place on October 11, 1993 kicking off Fire Prevention Week

1984

Ambulance subscription program started. For an annual payment of $25 residents of Highland Village can receive free emergency transport on the ambulance.

Two more bays are added to the fire station.

1985

Fire Department responds to Delta flight 191 crash at DFW airport.

1986

New E 1 fire engine arrives.

Second ambulance added. This used ambulance was purchased for $7,500 and refurbished by the volunteers.

Professional firefighter training program initiated. Captain Swindle of the Lewisville Fire Department hired as training officer. Captain Swindle is a nationally certified firefighter instructor.

1987

Highland Village Fire Department contracts with the Cities of Double Oak and Copper Canyon for ambulance service. This increased ambulance calls 24%.

1988

Cascade mobile air truck added. A used GTE utility truck was acquired by bid. The truck was stripped, refurbished, and fitted with compressed air tanks. Highland Village along with surrounding fire departments uses this vehicle to fill their SCBA's (self contained breathing apparatus) on the scene of emergency incidents. This is the only vehicle of its type in Denton County.

1992

Chief Barfknecht resigns. Asst. Chief Cisney serves as interim Chief. Chief Glen Harris takes the helm as the 4th Chief of the Highland Village Fire Department.

1994

A new station is built. This is the first time that there is room for all equipment in the bays. The training room is used for volunteers and citizens alike. CPR and First Aid classes are offered to the citizens of Highland Village.

1997

A new KME fire engine replaces the engine purchased in 1977.

Highland Village Fire

Department hires it's first part-time Paramedic/Firefighter to provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) services to the City.

1998

More part-time Paramedic/Firefighters are hired to continue offering ALS services.

1999

Chief Harris retires. Asst. Chief Bill McClung currently serves as interim Chief until the spring of 2000.

2000

Roland Asebedo hired as Fire Chief. Bill McClung re-assumes his duties as Asst. Fire Chief.

Highland Village Fire Department joins the Baylor Grapevine Medical Control System in March. This organization dictates the protocols used in emergency medical situations and is used by neighboring departments such as Lewisville, Lake Cities and Flower Mound with excellent results.

In December, the department maintains a sufficient roster of part-time Paramedic/Firefighters that it is able to schedule a Paramedic/Firefighter on shift 24 hours a day/seven days a week.

2001

Chief Asebedo resigns in the spring. Asst. Chief McClung again serves as interim Fire Chief.

In September, Lonnie Tatum is hired as the new Fire Chief of Highland Village. Prior to joining the department, Chief Tatum spent thirty years with the Nacogdoches Fire Department in East Texas.

In December of 2001, Highland Village Fire-Rescue hires the first of three new full-time Paramedic/Firefighters.

2002

In January, the second and third full-time positions are filled.

A new 2002 Frazer ambulance is put into service. It replaces the ‘old' Medic 481 (which is renamed Medic 482) that serves as a reserve ambulance.

The new air truck is received and placed into service in March. It replaces the old Air 481 unit that served since 1988.

In October, Highland Village Fire Department graduates its first class of State Firemen's & Fire Marshal's Association recruits. Based on the curriculum taught during this academy, the recruits were able to challenge and successfully pass the Texas Commission on Fire Protections' state exam for a Basic Structure Firefighter certificate. This is the same certificate required by paid full-time fire departments.

2006

Highland Village’s Public Protection Classification (PPC) has improved from 5 to 2. This rating is determined by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) to reflect our community’s fire suppression and control resources and is the system numerous insurance companies use to calculate individual and commercial property insurance premiums.  Highland Village Fire Chief, Lonnie Tatum, along with the Fire Department, Police Department and Utility Department Staff worked diligently to improve the current rating through a detailed inspection process by the Insurance Services Office, which is associated with the State Fire Marshals Office.  This is a major accomplishment for the Departments who participated in the survey and the Residents of our City, and represents a potential 14% reduction in homeowner’s insurance premiums. The new rating went into effect on April 1, 2006.

2007

In September of 2007, the Highland Village Fire Department accepted a generous and much needed donation from the Co-Serv Charitable Foundation.  The donation was used to purchase an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) equipped with Emergency Medical and Fire Suppression equipment.  This multi-purpose vehicle is used to access pedestrians who may become ill or injured on the Trails and extinguish fires that may occur in areas not accessible by larger Fire Apparatus.  Additionally, the vehicle has proved to serve a much needed service at Special Events held in our City.  

Highland Village Fire Department placed into service a new 1500 GPM Pierce Fire Engine with a state of the art Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS).  This Engine represents the very best product on the market today and is a valuable asset to the Community.

2008

In January, 2008, the City of Highland Village hired its first full-time Assistant Fire Chief Jason Collier.  Chief Collier comes to us with over twenty-two years of fire service experience.

May 1, 2008 was truly one of the brightest highlights for the City of Highland Village, with the Grand Opening of our new Fire Station.  The new 13,250 state-of-the-art fire station facility will house Fire and EMS Emergency Operations, Fire Prevention, the Cities Emergency Operation Center, and Fire Administration.  The dedication was attended by over 300 people along with representatives from 9 area fire departments and 4 retired Highland Village Fire Chiefs.  Operation of emergency services from the new facility began on Monday, May 5, 2008.

2009

In May, the Fire Department placed into service a new state of the art Mobile Intensive Care Unit Ambulance.  This valuable fully equipped piece of apparatus staffed by National Registry Certified Paramedics will provide care to victims of potential life threatening injuries or illness. 

Fire Department Achieves Full Staffing Level

On Monday, November 16, three new employees started working in the Highland Village Fire Department.  Those three new employees are significant for several reasons.  First, their salaries and benefits are being funded by a SAFER Grant, which was awarded to the Highland Village Fire Department.  This SAFER Grant is a tremendous assistance to the city, as it relieves a substantial burden for the next five years from the Highland Village General Fund Budget in funding Fire Department personnel needs.  Secondly, for the first time ever, Highland Village will have the ability to schedule a five person shift on each A, B, and C Shift.  Each shift will provide EMS and Fire Protection with a paid professional staff 24 hours a day 7 days a week for 52 weeks to protect, serve, and provide the public safety that is expected by Highland Village residents.

This day marks the achievement of a goal that began nearly 9 years ago.  The Highland Village Fire Department initiated a plan to move from a combination paid and volunteer staff to a full paid staff to meet the Emergency Medical Service and Fire Protection needs of our community.  Over the last nine years the Fire Department has added 16 new positions with no impact in raising the city's existing tax structure.  Many of those who filled these positions have been dedicated volunteers who chose to make a career with Highland Village.