The Lufkin Fire Department originated in 1888, with formal organization in 1902. Fire protection in those early years consisted of hand-drawn hose carts, water buckets and lots of grit. The first motorized apparatus was purchased in 1915, and today occupies a place of honor in Lufkin City Hall's foyer.
The dark days of World War I saw LFD slowly growing. Periodic large fires stressed the need for increased fire protection. 1929 marked the start of the Great Depression, and construction of a new Central Fire Station. This historic building is still in use today.
The decade of the 1930s highlighted hard times in America and in Lufkin, but LFD increased its ability to protect its citizens. World War II brought America to the forefront as an international power. The 1950s and '60s brought more service increases, including purchase of an aerial ladder truck and the advent of countywide ambulance service through the Fire Department.
The 1980s saw additional service demands in fire/rescue and EMS, and the formation of Lufkin's first Hazardous Materials Team, now a 22-member team trained to the technician level, the only Haz Mat team within a three-hour driving radius.
Today, in 2007, Lufkin Fire Department has evolved into a full-service organization operating from five stations and a fire administration building with 82 full-time personnel. Our services include fire suppression and rescue; EMS for the City of Lufkin and, by contract, all of Angelina County; Hazardous Materials mitigation; fire inspections; plan review and code enforcement; arson investigation; training; public information and education from pre-school through senior citizens, including business and industry.
The 9-11 terrorist attack brought additional work, such as response to biohazards like anthrax. LFD is also involved in emergency management, with natural disasters like Hurricane Rita and Katrina and large-scale incidents such as the Columbia space shuttle crash.
Lufkin Fire Department has grown as our city has grown and continues to play a central role in the protection of our community. With an annual call volume of 9,000 responses, we remain a very busy department. Federal grants have helped fund improvements, including a new 85-foot aerial platform truck.
Technology, modern equipment and training has benefited Lufkin firefighter/paramedics as they go about their daily work on behalf of the community, but as it was more than a century ago, the determination and courage of Lufkin firefighters lies at the very heart of all our operations.
Pete Prewitt has been the Lufkin Fire Department chief for 15 years.
