Alvin Volunteer Fire Department

Firefighters and their families came together to support a charity dodgeball tournament this weekend. The Dodge for a Cause was put on by MyCHN. Community health Network is a sponsor for our upcoming 5K fundraiser on June 27th. We appreciate their continued partnership with our city and the fire department.

Car wash fundraisers supporting our Junior firefighters has been moved due to the weather. The next car wash will be June 13th. Thank you for the support.

🚒 Sunday Evening Call Summary 🚒

Sunday evening was a busy one for Alvin Volunteer Fire Department, with crews responding to three separate incidents back-to-back.

✅ 8:37 PM — Brush Fire
✅ 9:07 PM — Structure Fire
✅ 9:34 PM — Apartment Fire

🏠 Structure Fire – County Road 181
When first-arriving units made entry, Engine 31 initiated a primary search and crews quickly went to work extinguishing the fire. The fire was primarily located on the Delta side near the electrical panel. Power was disconnected, and ventilation operations were conducted to clear smoke from the home. Firefighters remained on scene checking for hot spots and ensuring there was no rekindle.

🏢 Apartment Fire – Mustang (Kitchen Fire)
This fire began in the kitchen, and crews were able to access the unit and extinguish the fire quickly and safely without incident.

💪 Nights like this are a strong reminder of what volunteer firefighters can accomplish with solid coordination, leadership, and teamwork — three fires, handled efficiently, and everyone went home safe.

👮 Thank you to our law enforcement partners:
Alvin Police Department and the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office for helping with traffic control and securing scenes so firefighters could operate without interruption.

🔍 Fire Cause Investigation
The causes of all three fires are currently under investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office.

🏃‍♂️🔥 Smoke Eater 5K Fun Run Reminder!
Join us June 27 at National Oak Park for the Smoke Eater 5K Fun Run! Proceeds benefit the Alvin Volunteer Fire Department and help support equipment, training, and operations.

As always — thank you for supporting your AVFD. ❤️🚒

Thirteen years ago today, May 31, 2013, the Houston Fire Department experienced its darkest day.

A five-alarm fire at the Southwest Inn on the Southwest Freeway brought crews from Stations 51 and 68 to what would become the deadliest incident in HFD history. As firefighters worked to search and suppress the blaze, the roof collapsed, trapping crews inside.

Four firefighters were killed that day. A fifth, Captain William "Iron Bill" Dowling, lost both legs in the fire and passed away in 2017 from complications related to his injuries.

We remember Captain Matthew Renaud, Engineer Operator Robert Bebee, Firefighter Robert Garner, Probationary Firefighter Anne Sullivan, and Captain William "Iron Bill" Dowling.

They sacrificed everything. We will never forget.

Santa Fe Fire & Rescue mourns the loss of one of the true pioneers of our department and community, Joe Kelly Tombrella.

Joe was a founding member of the Alta Loma Volunteer Fire Department, the organization that would eventually become Santa Fe Fire & Rescue. His dedication to protecting our community was unmatched, serving as Fire Chief for more than 18 years and helping build the foundation upon which our department stands today.

His commitment to the fire service extended far beyond Santa Fe. Joe also served as President of the Galveston County Firefighters Association, working to strengthen the fire service throughout Galveston County and advocate for firefighters across the region.

Throughout his life, Joe exemplified servant leadership. Whether as a firefighter, chief, business owner, elected official, or civic leader, he devoted countless hours to improving the community he loved. His legacy can be seen throughout Santa Fe in the organizations he helped establish, the leaders he mentored, and the generations of firefighters who followed in his footsteps.

We are especially honored that Joe’s family has designated Santa Fe Fire & Rescue as Honorary Casketbearers, a testament to the lifelong bond he shared with this department.

On behalf of the members of Santa Fe Fire & Rescue, we extend our deepest condolences to the Tombrella family and all who knew and loved him.

Thank you, Chief Tombrella, for your vision, leadership, and decades of service. Your impact on our department and community will never be forgotten.

Rest easy, Chief. We will take it from here. ❤️🚒

Get your car washed and support the Alvin VFD Junior Program! 🚒🧽 All donations fund equipment and training for our future first responders.

📍 Where: Alvin VFD Station 1 (801 E South St)

🗓️ When: Sat, June 6 | 9 AM - 2 PM
💵 Cost: Donations welcome!

🚒 Vehicle Fire – House Street & Gordon Street (May 27, 2026)

Wednesday evening, AVFD was toned out to a fully involved vehicle fire at the intersection of House Street and Gordon Street.

Responding units arrived within 2 minutes of the tone. Engine 21 responded with a crew of four, and Engine 11 arrived shortly after. Crews quickly extinguished the fire without incident.

✅ No injuries reported
✅ Roadways are open and clear
ℹ️ Cause of the fire is under investigation

A big thank you to the Alvin Police Department for traffic control and securing the scene while crews worked.