28 Washing<strong>to</strong>n <strong>County</strong> Magazine 2012 Edition www.<strong>Brenham</strong><strong>Texas</strong>.com
H e a l t h c a r e On an annual basis, Washing<strong>to</strong>n <strong>County</strong> EMS responds <strong>to</strong> approximately 5,000 calls and handles 3,000 patients. Approximately 80 percent of the service’s calls are emergencies. Washing<strong>to</strong>n <strong>County</strong> EMS has an advanced life support special operations division within the department that speccializes in taking advanced medicine <strong>to</strong> unfortunate and unusual situations. It serves as the primary advanced life support water rescue department for the county. Providing water rescue boat based search and rescue operations in Washing<strong>to</strong>n and surrounding counties. Employing 12 water rescue technician paramedics that are also apart of the world renouned <strong>Texas</strong> Task Force 1 US&R Team. The department has recieved many awards throughout its his<strong>to</strong>ry including being named the 2007 EMS Provider of the Year Award by the State of <strong>Texas</strong>, 2007 EMS Administra<strong>to</strong>r of the Year Award, and the 2010 Public Education Award by the State of <strong>Texas</strong>. FIRE The <strong>Brenham</strong> Fire Department was created by City ordinance on June 10, 1867. The company was founded, on the surface, <strong>to</strong> protect against fire, but in actuality, it was created as a military organization <strong>to</strong> protect the lives and property of citizens from Union soldiers stationed here during the Reconstruction era. In May, 1879, the BFD became the proud owner of a new Silsby Steam Engine, which could pump 600 gallons per minute. It was designed <strong>to</strong> be drawn by hand or by horses. The his<strong>to</strong>rically preserved engine now sits in a special exhibit next door <strong>to</strong> the <strong>Brenham</strong> Heritage Museum. The current BFD has 14 paid Firemen including a Fire Chief, Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal, 3 Captains and 9 Apparatus Opera<strong>to</strong>rs, plus an administrative assistant and 50 volunteers. The BFD responds <strong>to</strong> over 500 emergency calls a year. They provide rescue services, firstresponder fire suppression, technical rescue and hazardous materials mitigation within Washing<strong>to</strong>n <strong>County</strong>. The BFD performs smoke detec<strong>to</strong>r service checks, home fire safety assessments, pre-incident planning surveys, and flood water removal services within the City. The Fire Marshal’s Office works with contrac<strong>to</strong>rs <strong>to</strong> assist in code compliance for fire alarms and suppression systems being installed in new and remodeled commercial and industrial buildings. During Fire Prevention Month in Oc<strong>to</strong>ber, the BFD educates children from Pre-K through 4th grade about fire safety presented by the Fire Marshal, BFD staff members and Mascot, Sparky. Also offered are Department and Museum <strong>to</strong>urs, <strong>County</strong> Fair Presentations, National Night Out <strong>visit</strong>s, employee training for businesses & industries with hands-on operating of a Fire Extinguisher. The members of the BFD own and operate the Fireman’s Training Center. This popular facility provides an important service <strong>to</strong> the community and is utilized year-round for social and business events. Dept. members host two annual fundraisers: Spring Fish Fry and Fireman’s Fiesta held in August. The BFD Ladies Auxiliary is a huge support <strong>to</strong> the Department with generous donations from profits of their own fundraisers. With a rich heritage and many accomplishments <strong>to</strong> their credit, the members of the <strong>Brenham</strong> Fire Department look forward <strong>to</strong> an even <strong>great</strong>er future with the same objectives as in 1867, “To Serve the Community.” www.<strong>Brenham</strong><strong>Texas</strong>.com 2012 Edition Washing<strong>to</strong>n <strong>County</strong> Magazine 29
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