Chapel Hill Volunteer Fire Department

🚨 Chapel Hill VFD at the 150th Annual SFFMA Conference! 🚨

This past week, members of the Chapel Hill Volunteer Fire Department traveled down to Waco for the historic 150th Annual State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas Training Conference & Convention.

Our crew stayed busy keeping our skills sharp, pushing their physical limits, and bringing the latest tactics back home to our community.

🔥 Taking on The Gauntlet 🔥
A huge shoutout to one of our department officers who stepped up and competed in The Gauntlet! Pushing through the grueling physical demands of this competition takes incredible grit, and they represented Chapel Hill VFD flawlessly on the big stage.

📚 Advanced Training Sessions
While they weren't competing, our members were in the classroom tackling high-stakes, modern challenges, including:

Lithium-Ion Battery Storage & Energy Response: Navigating the unique dangers and evolving tactics needed to handle battery fires safely.

Red Lights, Blue Lights, Gunfights: Tactical strategies and scene awareness for when emergency calls unexpectedly turn violent.

Street Side Stork: Managing emergency newborn delivery and childbirth in the pre-hospital setting.

🏆 A Massive Congratulations to Josh Bardwell! 🏆
The conference also marked an incredible milestone for a familiar face. Huge congratulations to Josh Bardwell on being named the 2026 SFFMA Firefighter of the Year!

Before taking on his current position with the Texas A&M Forest Service, Josh served our local community right here as a Lieutenant for Smith County ESD2 and spent an impactful part of his early career with us at Chapel Hill VFD. We couldn’t be prouder to see his dedication to the Texas fire service recognized on the state stage.

Thank you to our community for your continued support, which allows our members to attend these vital training events. We are back, fully trained, and ready to serve! 🚒💪

Be prepared for severe weather and other emergencies by signing up for Smith County’s Rave, a mass notification system.
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Smith County Sheriff's Office
Smith County Fire Marshal's Office
Smith County Community Emergency Response Team
Doc Deason's Weather
Smith County Emergency Services District 2
Lindale Fire Department
Arp Volunteer Fire Department
Bullard Fire Department
Winona Volunteer Fire Department
Whitehouse Volunteer Fire Department
Chapel Hill Volunteer Fire Department
Flint-Gresham Fire Department

Daylight saving time starts this Sunday, March 8th! Use this as a reminder to test your smoke alarms and replace batteries if needed.

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We are proud to announce that one of our VFD officers recently returned from College Station after successfully completing the Technical Search Specialist course at TEEX's world-renowned Disaster City training facility.

He joined first responder participants from across the United States and Canada for this intensive training, which focused on:

- Advanced Search Techniques: Locating victims in complex disaster scenarios.
- Mastery of Search Equipment: Utilizing specialized listening and visual tools to find those in need.
- Precision Navigation: Skills required for high-stakes, hazardous environments.

This certification directly bolsters the Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) capabilities provided by select VFD members across the county. The GSAR team has been dispatched numerous times over the past few years to aid in the search for missing individuals in Smith County and neighboring communities. Bringing this high-level expertise back to our VFD ensures we are better prepared for these critical missions.

We would like to extend our gratitude to Smith County ESD-2 and the Texas A&M Forest Service for sponsoring this training. Their investment in our personnel makes it possible for our VFD members to attend this elite program and bring the best possible skills home to keep our community safe.

Stay safe while staying warm during a power outage!

Last week, the members of the Chapel Hill Volunteer Fire Department traded their turnout gear for holiday attire as we gathered for our annual end-of-year celebration!

It was a much-needed evening to pause, unwind, and enjoy the company of our families and friends. As volunteers, we know that our service wouldn't be possible without the unwavering support of our loved ones who stand behind us every time the pager goes off.

We were also honored to have some of our district leadership in attendance. We would like to extend a special thank you to Chief of Operations Eric Greaser and Board of Commissioners President Johnny Brown for joining us. We truly appreciate your ongoing leadership, support, and dedication to the success of our department and the safety of our district.

The highlight of the night was reflecting on a year of hard work and growth. We are especially proud to recognize three individuals who went above and beyond in their dedication to the department and the citizens of Chapel Hill

Please join us in a huge round of applause for our 2025 Award Recipients:

• Rookie of the Year – Matthew Turner
Matthew has stepped up in a big way this year, showing incredible initiative and a true passion for learning the craft.

• Firefighter of the Year – Cheryl Moore
Cheryl’s work ethic and commitment to the team have been exemplary, setting a high standard for everyone on the line.

• Officer of the Year – Chief Dale Peterson
Chief Peterson’s leadership and guidance have been the backbone of our operations throughout the year.

To our community: Thank you for your continued support and trust. We are honored to serve you, and we look forward to another year of keeping Chapel Hill safe!