members
|
Fire Officers
Mark Geistweidt, Fire Chief Evan Tune, Asst. Fire Chief Dyron Brodbeck, Captain Sem Geistweidt, Lieutenant |
Executive Officers
Danny Reeh, President Kurt Geistweidt, Vice President Gary Brodbeck, Treasurer Gerald Bratton, Secretary |
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Active Members
Ben Arhelger Paul Baethge John Brandenberger Gerald Bratton Dyron Brodbeck Travis Dollar Adam Geistweidt Kurt Geistweidt Mark Geistweidt Sem Geistweidt Wade Geistweidt Tuttie Geistweidt Gary L Hahn Chris McIntire Danny Reeh Travis Reeh Steve Shaefer Elise Studer Preston Studer Stephen Stengel Mike Tucker Evan Tune |
Reserve Members
Laurie Arhelger Darrell Arhelger Gary Brodbeck Randy Busch Clayton Crenwelge Brett Fraley Clyde Haley Betty Hahn Max Hartmann Royce Herbort Pat Jung James Lange Van Mund Joe Schaefer |
HISTORY
An August 1962 fire on the Emil Strackbein Ranch at Squaw Creek was the catalyst that spurred the formation of the Doss Volunteer Fire Department. The formation of the DVFD was spearheaded by Emil Lange, founding chairman.
By mid 1963 the fire department had been fully organized, with Emil Lange continuing as founding chairman, Arthur Lynn Hahn elected as President, and Pete Crenwelge, Secretary/Treasurer. On September 21, 1964 the Doss Volunteer Fire Department received its original charter from the State of Texas.
The original founding members of the Doss Volunteer Fire Department were:
Emil Lange, Founding Chairman
Arthur Lynn Hahn, President
Pete Crenwelge, Secretary/Treasurer
Founding Members:
Elroy Geistweidt, Jim Faught, Roy Itz, Clinton Nixon, Ted Mund, Ben Evers, Albert Ellebracht, Harry Wahrmund, Hugo Sattler, Tommy Reeh, Bobby Kordzik, Karl Friedrich, Warren Hahn, Felix Hahn Jr., Fred Itz, Otto Spaeth, Presley Arhelger, Emil Anderegg, Carl Kirchner, Elgin Kirchner, Rheinhold Kirchner, Ervin Eckert, Norbert Stehling, Bernard Stehling, Levi Rosenbusch, Marcus Rode, Harold Strackbein, Carlton Sieckmann, Dennis Lange, Nelson Geistweidt, Ervin Friedrich.
Around January, 1964 the DVFD acquired two WW II surplus vehicles. Out of parts from these two trucks, work was completed by members at Tommy Reeh’s Garage, one fully functional 1954 Dodge, 4X4, ¾ Ton, firefighting truck was put into service in April, 1964. Along with 5 gallon buckets and tow sacks many a fire was extinguished by these volunteer fire fighters. This truck served the Fire Department into the 1990’s. In 1976 the department acquired a new Chevrolet 1 Ton Truck, 4X4 to add to the department’s fleet of one truck. This truck was purchased through donations received from local residents as well many friends of the Doss community.
The first Doss VFD home was the old Doss School Teacher’s Home on the Doss School campus. The West wall of the limestone rock building was removed to provide a parking space for the fire fighting trucks. The east side of this building was used for the fire department meetings and office and continued in use until 1991.
With thoughts towards the purchase of additional fire fighting vehicles and equipment, and the need for additional space for the Fire Department, ideas were floated around amongst members for a way to provide additional funds for this purpose. It was agreed upon by members to host the First Doss VFD fish fry on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend in 1984. The Annual Doss VFD Fish Fry has been in existence since this date and has been hugely successful as a fund raiser for the fire department. The fish fry has enabled this department to construct facilities to house fire fighting equipment and vehicles, expand its firefighting equipment purchases, and training for members in order to provide first class fire fighting and emergency services for this community and the adjoining counties. The Doss VFD would have a difficult time saying, “Thank You”, to each and every individual that volunteer their time working to make it such a huge success, those individuals and business that provide many, many raffle prizes, as well as from 2,800 to 3,200 hungry contributors and visitors that come each year on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend to support Doss VFD.
In 1991 the Doss VFD, Doss Community Club, and Doss School teamed together to raze the old Doss School Tabernacle and construct a new building which would be used by all three entities. Monetary donations for the construction of this building was provided by literally hundreds and hundreds of citizens, and businesses from throughout Mason & Gillespie Counties. The west end of this building was constructed with three bays, equipment storage areas and an office for the Doss VFD use.
With a growing community, and an increase in calls for emergency assistance, a group of individuals within the Doss VFD saw the need for a medical emergency response team. In 1993 the Doss First Responders/EMT’s was established as a part of the Doss VFD. As with the establishment of the Doss VFD in 1964, farsighted and dedicated volunteers understood the need for this emergency medical response team. This volunteer group was comprised of volunteers Harold and Carole Sattler, Kurt and Tuttie Geistweidt, Karl Stengel, Nancy Wheeler, and Ralph Rode. Over time many more individuals within the Doss VFD joined the ranks of these dedicated volunteers.
As time progressed, and with the addition of new firefighting vehicles, the need was seen for additional space for the Doss VFD. In 2001 a committee was formed with members of the Doss Community Club and the Doss VFD to discuss an extended lease agreement on the Community Club grounds to construct a new fire department building. This new building was constructed on the south side of the existing Community Club building, and dedicated in 2002. The expanded facility which provided 6 bays for fire fighting vehicles, storage for equipment, and office space greatly enhanced the department as well as providing a covered venue joining the Community Club building for use during the fish fry, and for Community Club and Doss School activities.
The Doss Volunteer Fire Department has been served by many dedicated volunteers who have done a tremendous job from 1964 to 2015, it would be difficult to list all that have faithfully served this department, and the citizens of this community and our surrounding counties. A special mention should be given to those that have held administrative and operations offices for the department since its inception. Due diligence has been give in the recovery of the names of office holders, but it should be noted that the minutes from 1964 to 1985 were unable to be located, this being said please forgive the omission of any individuals name as it was not intentional.
1963-1985 Officers
Emil Lange Bobby Kordzik
Arthur Lynn Hahn Stormy Maner
Pete Crenwelge Ervin Eckert
Ben Evers Presley Arhelger
Ted Mund Bernard Stehling
Carlton Sieckmann Roy Itz
Tommy Reeh Albert Ellebracht
1986-1997 Officers
Pat Jung Mel Gideon
Arthur Lynn Hahn Karl Stengel
Kurt Geistweidt Presley Arhelger
Henry L. Welge Ervin Eckert
Clayton Crenwelge James Neffendorf
Ricky Friedrich Tommy Reeh
Carol Sattler Tuttie Geistweidt
Roy Itz Corus Schmidt
Neal Reeh Ray Brown
Ralph Rode Gary Lynn Hahn
Alva Itz Harold Sattler
Tommy Sattler Clayton Crenwelge
Scott Johnson Kerry Kordzik
Jason Lange
1997-2015 Officers
Tom Pledger Joe Schaefer
Warren Hahn Gary Brodbeck
Tim Flick Heinz Roesch
Jim Boyd Laurie Arhelger
Pat Jung Ray Brown
Rick Guensler Gary Lynn Hahn
Nancy Wheeler Henry L. Welge
Mel Gideon Danny Reeh
Sonny Applebee Kurt Geistweidt
Reuben Geistweidt Arthur Lynn Hahn
Leslie Flick Flo Ellenbeck
David Kessler Mark Geistweidt
Betty Hahn John Brandenberger
James Neffendorf Adam Geistweidt
Ralph Rode Corus Schmidt
Paul Baethge Kenneth Priess
James Priess Tuttie Geistweidt
James Lange Jerry Walsh
By mid 1963 the fire department had been fully organized, with Emil Lange continuing as founding chairman, Arthur Lynn Hahn elected as President, and Pete Crenwelge, Secretary/Treasurer. On September 21, 1964 the Doss Volunteer Fire Department received its original charter from the State of Texas.
The original founding members of the Doss Volunteer Fire Department were:
Emil Lange, Founding Chairman
Arthur Lynn Hahn, President
Pete Crenwelge, Secretary/Treasurer
Founding Members:
Elroy Geistweidt, Jim Faught, Roy Itz, Clinton Nixon, Ted Mund, Ben Evers, Albert Ellebracht, Harry Wahrmund, Hugo Sattler, Tommy Reeh, Bobby Kordzik, Karl Friedrich, Warren Hahn, Felix Hahn Jr., Fred Itz, Otto Spaeth, Presley Arhelger, Emil Anderegg, Carl Kirchner, Elgin Kirchner, Rheinhold Kirchner, Ervin Eckert, Norbert Stehling, Bernard Stehling, Levi Rosenbusch, Marcus Rode, Harold Strackbein, Carlton Sieckmann, Dennis Lange, Nelson Geistweidt, Ervin Friedrich.
Around January, 1964 the DVFD acquired two WW II surplus vehicles. Out of parts from these two trucks, work was completed by members at Tommy Reeh’s Garage, one fully functional 1954 Dodge, 4X4, ¾ Ton, firefighting truck was put into service in April, 1964. Along with 5 gallon buckets and tow sacks many a fire was extinguished by these volunteer fire fighters. This truck served the Fire Department into the 1990’s. In 1976 the department acquired a new Chevrolet 1 Ton Truck, 4X4 to add to the department’s fleet of one truck. This truck was purchased through donations received from local residents as well many friends of the Doss community.
The first Doss VFD home was the old Doss School Teacher’s Home on the Doss School campus. The West wall of the limestone rock building was removed to provide a parking space for the fire fighting trucks. The east side of this building was used for the fire department meetings and office and continued in use until 1991.
With thoughts towards the purchase of additional fire fighting vehicles and equipment, and the need for additional space for the Fire Department, ideas were floated around amongst members for a way to provide additional funds for this purpose. It was agreed upon by members to host the First Doss VFD fish fry on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend in 1984. The Annual Doss VFD Fish Fry has been in existence since this date and has been hugely successful as a fund raiser for the fire department. The fish fry has enabled this department to construct facilities to house fire fighting equipment and vehicles, expand its firefighting equipment purchases, and training for members in order to provide first class fire fighting and emergency services for this community and the adjoining counties. The Doss VFD would have a difficult time saying, “Thank You”, to each and every individual that volunteer their time working to make it such a huge success, those individuals and business that provide many, many raffle prizes, as well as from 2,800 to 3,200 hungry contributors and visitors that come each year on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend to support Doss VFD.
In 1991 the Doss VFD, Doss Community Club, and Doss School teamed together to raze the old Doss School Tabernacle and construct a new building which would be used by all three entities. Monetary donations for the construction of this building was provided by literally hundreds and hundreds of citizens, and businesses from throughout Mason & Gillespie Counties. The west end of this building was constructed with three bays, equipment storage areas and an office for the Doss VFD use.
With a growing community, and an increase in calls for emergency assistance, a group of individuals within the Doss VFD saw the need for a medical emergency response team. In 1993 the Doss First Responders/EMT’s was established as a part of the Doss VFD. As with the establishment of the Doss VFD in 1964, farsighted and dedicated volunteers understood the need for this emergency medical response team. This volunteer group was comprised of volunteers Harold and Carole Sattler, Kurt and Tuttie Geistweidt, Karl Stengel, Nancy Wheeler, and Ralph Rode. Over time many more individuals within the Doss VFD joined the ranks of these dedicated volunteers.
As time progressed, and with the addition of new firefighting vehicles, the need was seen for additional space for the Doss VFD. In 2001 a committee was formed with members of the Doss Community Club and the Doss VFD to discuss an extended lease agreement on the Community Club grounds to construct a new fire department building. This new building was constructed on the south side of the existing Community Club building, and dedicated in 2002. The expanded facility which provided 6 bays for fire fighting vehicles, storage for equipment, and office space greatly enhanced the department as well as providing a covered venue joining the Community Club building for use during the fish fry, and for Community Club and Doss School activities.
The Doss Volunteer Fire Department has been served by many dedicated volunteers who have done a tremendous job from 1964 to 2015, it would be difficult to list all that have faithfully served this department, and the citizens of this community and our surrounding counties. A special mention should be given to those that have held administrative and operations offices for the department since its inception. Due diligence has been give in the recovery of the names of office holders, but it should be noted that the minutes from 1964 to 1985 were unable to be located, this being said please forgive the omission of any individuals name as it was not intentional.
1963-1985 Officers
Emil Lange Bobby Kordzik
Arthur Lynn Hahn Stormy Maner
Pete Crenwelge Ervin Eckert
Ben Evers Presley Arhelger
Ted Mund Bernard Stehling
Carlton Sieckmann Roy Itz
Tommy Reeh Albert Ellebracht
1986-1997 Officers
Pat Jung Mel Gideon
Arthur Lynn Hahn Karl Stengel
Kurt Geistweidt Presley Arhelger
Henry L. Welge Ervin Eckert
Clayton Crenwelge James Neffendorf
Ricky Friedrich Tommy Reeh
Carol Sattler Tuttie Geistweidt
Roy Itz Corus Schmidt
Neal Reeh Ray Brown
Ralph Rode Gary Lynn Hahn
Alva Itz Harold Sattler
Tommy Sattler Clayton Crenwelge
Scott Johnson Kerry Kordzik
Jason Lange
1997-2015 Officers
Tom Pledger Joe Schaefer
Warren Hahn Gary Brodbeck
Tim Flick Heinz Roesch
Jim Boyd Laurie Arhelger
Pat Jung Ray Brown
Rick Guensler Gary Lynn Hahn
Nancy Wheeler Henry L. Welge
Mel Gideon Danny Reeh
Sonny Applebee Kurt Geistweidt
Reuben Geistweidt Arthur Lynn Hahn
Leslie Flick Flo Ellenbeck
David Kessler Mark Geistweidt
Betty Hahn John Brandenberger
James Neffendorf Adam Geistweidt
Ralph Rode Corus Schmidt
Paul Baethge Kenneth Priess
James Priess Tuttie Geistweidt
James Lange Jerry Walsh