History of Hollywood Park Fire Department

Original Volunteer HPFD Logo and Badge

1951 – first home built in Hollywood Park
1951-1958 – water hoses stayed connected at each residence in case of fire
1955 – The Town of Hollywood Park incorporated
1958 – The beginning of an established fire department started when a group of men joined together as volunteers. Some attended firefighter school at Texas A&M University.  A telephone warning system presented to City Council.
1959 – City Council appointed Ed Plunkett as first Fire Chief and approved purchase of a used truck for $66.80 for the Fire Department.
1963 – HPFD had first full-time paid employee
1964 – Fred Keepers, Jr. appointed as Fire Chief
1967 – siren and tower installed
1968 – Volunteers raised funds by selling 1,500 tickets to a Hollywood Park Volunteer Fire Department Benefit Barbeque, which became an annual event to raise funds for equipment. The first equipment purchased was 20 new two-way portable alerting units.

Ticket to 1968 HP VFD Barbecue

1969 – One pump unit and one “brush buggy” booster unit purchased. Eighteen volunteer firefighters provided protection for Hollywood Park, Hill Country Village, and ranchlands in the northern Bexar County along Highway 281.

1970 – The Hollywood Park Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary was formed to provide food to firefighters after a fire.
1973 – Volunteer fighters numbered 29 and equipment included a 1,500-gallon brush fire pumper, 500-gallon pumper, a 300-gallon pumper, a Rescue Unit, and radio equipment.

1974 International with Simms body

1980 – HP Volunteer Fire Department provided service to 4,000 homes in 13 subdivisions in Hollywood Park and surrounding areas.

1984 Ford at Town Hall

1987 Ford

1990s – Charlie Ivy appointed as Fire Chief
2003 – Javier Garcia appointed as Fire Chief
2005 – John Butrico appointed as Fire Chief

2022 Pierce Platform

2023 – Todd Morgan appointed as Fire Chief

Today, the Hollywood Park Fire Department is comprised of full-time professionals with 12 full time shift firefighters, several part time firefighters, 1 reserve Peace Officer and 1 Fire Chief.
They currently have a 2010 Pierce Velocity Fire Engine, 2022 Pierce Velocity Mid Mount 100’ Platform, Ford Command Pick up,
Ford Explorer Squad, and Ford Medium Duty Grass Truck.  Each firefighter is issued uniforms, radios, bunker gear, and PPE.
The HP Fire Department has vehicle extrication equipment, high angle rescue gear, and swift water rescue gear.