Old County Fire Truck(s) - Housed in Brenham

March 15, 2024, the Department released its second cookbook "cooks of the past and present"

(lt.-rt.) Leroy Schroeder (Cty Comm, pct. 3), Gus Mutscher -cty judge -Chief Korthauser, Robert Gaskamp (cty comm, pct.2), Weldon Maddis, _cty comm, pct.4)

The Prairie Hill – Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1959 by 6 men.   The group first met at Lehmann’s Store on FM 50, then moved to the St. John’s Church Annex, and later at Prairie Hill Hall.  Walter Lehmann was elected as the department’s first Fire Chief.  At the time of organization, an agreement had been reached between Washington County and the Brenham Fire Department, whereby the county would purchase a fire truck.  The truck would be housed at the Brenham Fire Station and would be used on both city and county fire calls.  For fire calls in the rural areas, the Brenham Fire Department would provide a driver to bring the fire truck to the rural fire scene.  The rural firemen were to man the truck and fight the fires.   This agreement was later dissolved and the county truck was sold, placing all responsibility for rural fires with the rural departments.

In 1963 the Prairie Hill VFD had grown to approximately 50 members and had built a homemade water trailer.  The water trailer had a 400 gallon tank and a 2 inch pump powered by a lawn mower engine.  Most of the members at that time drove pick-up trucks and would drive to a small barn next to Lehmann’s Store and hook up to the trailer for fire calls.  Since the department had no radios or pagers, notification of a fire alarm was accomplished by a telephone alert plan usually handled by wives of the firefighters.   The fire trailer remained in service until 1972.  The department purchased a used 1959 Chevy Viking truck and built a fire truck using surplus or donated materials and labor.

Old county owned fire trucks.

In 1973, the department built a station on donated property large enough to hold one truck.   This building was later enlarged to make room for another truck and a meeting room.

In 1982 a used 1975 Chevy C-80 truck was purchased and built locally.  This truck was outfitted with most of the necessary equipment. 

In 1984, the department, which had grown to approximately 150 members, built a new double bay building on donated property to house the trucks and serve as a gathering place for the department’s family nights and, also could be leased by others, creating much needed revenue.  Due to the rapid increase in the use of this building it was enlarged several years later.

In 1989, the department purchased a used 1985 Chevy C-80 chassis.  Once again, local labor was used to build the truck.  This was used as a tanker/engine due to its 1,400 gallon capacity and large water pump.  This truck is still in service as a tanker.

Departments early truck line up circa 1990.

In 1990, Chief Walter Lehmann retired and the department elected it’s second Fire Chief.   Doyle Dahmann was elected to replace Walter Lehmann and remains in that position today.

In 1995, the department purchased a new Ford F-350 4x4 truck chassis.  The truck was completed by Clay’s Welding and has 350 gallon tank with foam system, SCBA, ladders and a generator.  This truck is currently the first out wildfire engine.

In 2001, the department purchased a new Ford F-450 4x4 chassis.  The truck was completed by Clay’s Welding and has 500 gallon tank with foam system, SCBA, ladders, and generator.  This truck is currently the first out engine.

In 2010 the department dedicated its third home in 50 plus years.  The New fire station was built on the same property as the old station.  The old station was renovated and became the meeting hall.
In 2011 the department took delivery of its first commercially produced fire truck.  The department received a Texas Forest Service grant and a grant from Washington County.   The remainder of the funds came from community donations.  On May 16, 2014, the department accepted a 5 ton military truck to be used as a heavy brush rig.

The department has over 325 supporting members and 15 firefighters.  The department is a state chartered, non-profit fire protection corporation and derives 95% of its operational budget from community donations. Firefighters train under the S.F.F.M.A. guidelines and attend TAMU fire schools.

In August of 2019, the department placed its first ATV vehicle in service which is a Kawasaki ATV, that carries wildfire tools, 55 gallons of water and high pressure foam.  This unit was decommissioned in 2022.

On May 26, 2020, the Department took delivery from the Texas Forest Service, a LMTV truck and skid unit grant.  This was the second military vehicle added to our fleet.  The unit is 9643 and will be in service January of 2021

In November of 2020, the department open its new helipad which has named the Asst, Chief Bill Winkelmann & Franklin Haarmeyer Memorial Heliport.  The pad was to be a static landing site for the Washington County EMS Air Med One.  Located at 30degrees 16"57" N. & 96 degrees 21" 24" W elevation 310 Ft.  This endeavor was funded by donations.

June of 2021, the Department drilled a firefighting water well to supply the dept during drought and freeze, when the local water coop could not provide water for firefighting.  Back up power provided by a generator through an LCRA grant.

August 12, 2021, the first fire truck was filled on the new well at the station, that was 9642.

May 27, 2022 the department starts the build out of crew quarters above the office in the station.  This addition will be part of the EMS partnership and the designation of the station being assigned as EMS station 7.

November 3, 2022 the department welcome Rescue Engine 9621 (Smeal Engine from Louisiana) and it was given the name "Phyllis" after the kind lady who gave the money to purchase her.

May of 2023 the department took possession of a 2004 F 750 Tender from the Helping Hands Program from the TFS.  It carries 2,000 Gallons.

On September 18, 2023, the department started on its station expansion tp the West side of the building.  The addition was completed in January 2024.

1st Station (cicra 1960)                        2nd Station (circa 1982)                     3rd Station (circa 2010)

1st Dept. patch (1980's)

June 1, 2024 - the Department puts another surplus military a 2009 AM General Humvee as a brush unit #9644.

On September 4, 2024, the department voted to create the office of Chaplain and appointed Jordan Pierce to the position.

On December, 2024, the Department received a grant from LCRA for the purchased of a battery hydraulic spreader, cutter and ram for vehicle extrication.

HISTORY