WH VFD turns 50
HONORING THE PAST; CELEBRATING THE FUTURE
BY SUZANNE LOUDAMY Staff writer

J.L. Hays is proud of the history and the future of the Whitehouse VFD. Old Engine #1 is a big part of that history.

Saturday, the Whitehouse Volunteer Fire Department will be filled with stories about the past as well as the future. This year is their 50th anniversary and the celebration is set to begin at 5 p.m. on April 21.

"We want this day to be special as we honor our past firemen," said Darrell Crymes, assistant fire chief. "We'll have good food, good entertainment and lots of stories to tell."

The Whitehouse Volunteer Fire Department came to be after founding member Glendal Pike served on a volunteer fire department in the Dallas area in mid 1950s. "Nothing was out this way," said Crymes. "There was no Bullard or Noonday fire department. If there was a fire, it was just too bad."

The early days of the fire department were quite lean and simple. In 1957, there was no building to call home.

"We used to meet under the trees by the old Ag building on what is now the Brown Elementary campus," J.L. Hays said. Hays is the only charter member of the fire department that is still an active member of the department.

The protective gear of the Whitehouse Volunteer Fire Department reflects the readiness of the department to respond when the community is in need. Saturday's celebration will honor those who have served over the past 50 years.

"Our first truck was a GMC Army surplus gasoline transport truck," Hays said. "We used it to fight house fires. Then we bought an Army surplus weapons carrier and it was converted into a brush truck." The department now boasts two 3,000 gallon super-tankers, two class A pumpers and two brush trucks.

There have been a lot of changes in every way imaginable in this department and firefighting in general. One big thing that has not changed is the commitment it takes to be a member of a volunteer fire department.

Hays remembered many times he had to leave birthday parties and other big family events when the fire alarm or phone would ring. He recalls leaving his family even during dangerous times when he would rather have stayed behind to take care of them.

"The tornado in 1987 was one of those days I'll never forget," Hays said. "That was a bad day. But that's all in the past."

Hays has such praise for his department.

"Ours is the best trained, best equipped volunteer fire department around," Hays said. "Our guys are committed and they act like professionals."

The state is requiring more and more of volunteer departments. One of the many of the mandates that have come down require that volunteers have the same training as a paid firefighter. Hays said they don't have a problem with that, they want to have top-notch training. It's just difficult to meet the budget for that and all the equipment that keeps the department in check.

One of those early trucks used by the department was a 1958 International pumper. It was retired from service in 1987. It was put on display in the park for several years. It suffered from exposure and lack of care. The fire department took it back and began restoration. Carl Owens Body Shop took on the task of restoring the body while the guys at the station took on the job of getting the engine back in running order.

The old truck is better than ever. It makes appearances during the Christmas and YesterYear parades every year.

There have been many men and women come through the Whitehouse Volunteer Fire Department. Saturday's celebration is for them, for their dedication, their service and their loyalty to the community and to their fellow firefighters.

"The fire department has had a huge impact on this community," said Crymes. " We've grown beyond anything those guys could have imagined."

Hays and Crymes both had praise for the people of Whitehouse in their support of the department over the years. While some of the funds that keep the department up and running come from the city, the county and grants, a large part of the budget comes directly from donations by the community.

There will be lots of stories to share as all current and former Whitehouse volunteer firefighters and immediate family are invited to Saturday's celebration. Tell a tale, eat some great food and enjoy the music.