The Bergheim Volunteer firefighters are ordinary people who are capable of extraordinary actions. And though they never know what they will encounter on each call, they carry on with an extraordinary commitment to service.

It has been said that volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart. But despite the courageous spirit, the Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) has seen a shrinking volunteer roster. This trend is nationwide, with many volunteers dropping off because they cannot afford to volunteer for either financial or time commitment reasons.

“During the past few years, we have had a decrease in volunteers or a decrease in the amount of time volunteers can cover the station. This is detrimental to our coverage area and to backing up the other fire departments in Kendall County,” said Adam Hawkins, BVFD Fire Chief. “At the same time, the population in the county has increased, and our call volume has almost doubled in the last five years. And that means this situation is going to get worse.”

Thanks to a pilot program approved by the Kendall County Commissioners Court, budgeted funds are available to pay professional, off-duty firefighters to work with the volunteer members of the BVFD. Andra Wisian, Kendall County Commissioner Precinct 2, said, “The County Commissioners Court and the BVFD had made efforts to reach an agreement; however, unforeseen delays resulted in the pilot program being limited to four months. As part of the County’s 2025 Fiscal Year budget, $143,026 was allocated for firefighters at BVFD. Of that amount, $46,675 has been designated for the pilot program to be used from June through September.”

The BVFD board of directors, the BVFD Fire Chief and residents in the BVFD service area reached out in support of the pilot program to Commissioner Wisian. “About 75% of the BVFD service area is in Precinct 2, and these residents overwhelmingly want consistent emergency response services from the Bergheim VFD,” said Commissioner Wisian. “Additionally, a stronger BVFD will be able to provide even more support for the other volunteer fire departments and Boerne’s paid department.”

Chad Carpenter, County Commissioner Precinct 4, supported the program as well. “Out of the gate, we’ll get more qualified firefighters, for sure,” said Commissioner Carpenter. “I think during the budget process we need to add money to the program, and let the BVFD continue this, so they have a full year to see how this works.”

“This is a major step forward to ensure consistent and reliable fire protection in our district and across the county as we assist other departments,” said Chief Hawkins. “We will be able to provide dedicated coverage, which will improve responsiveness to emergencies and better serve our citizens. A key part of this program is that we will have a guaranteed driver, which is one of our biggest obstacles because certain trucks require drivers with specific certifications.”

Bergheim resident, Maxie Zinsmeister, said that he would rather see the county create a County Assistance District and implement a sales tax increase. “Firefighters could be deployed to the stations and be paid through an increase in sales tax. But, I’m okay with allocating funds directly to Bergheim VFD to hire firefighters at this time, while the county works toward a long-term strategy. This pilot will have a positive impact on all areas of Kendall County as the personnel will be available as needed throughout the county via mutual aid. This also staves off the need for an Emergency Services District and the higher taxes that come with it,” said Mr. Zinsmeister.  

“Backed by our County Commissioners, our new paid part-time pilot program strengthens response times, while keeping local volunteer fire department oversight at the heart of what we do,” said Lucy Hudson, BVFD board member and volunteer.

That heart of what they do is the dedication and commitment of the BVFD members to serve their community selflessly, a desire to help others, and to protect their neighbors. The volunteer firefighters say that bringing in professional staff will strengthen and enhance the department.

Kevin Meyers, BVFD Assistant Chief, has been with the department since 2009 and sees the need in the fast-growing area to have coverage at the station for immediate response. “I love being a volunteer and giving back to the community I grew up in. At the same time, I truly see the value in having part-time employees on board. They bring experience and consistency, and everyone — volunteers and staff — can learn and grow from working together,” said Assistant Chief Meyers.

D. Strickland is a volunteer who said that he is excited to see the department launch the new county-supported program. “It’s a great opportunity for all of us to learn from each other, build our skills, and strengthen our response as a team. This is about growing together — volunteers and part-timers alike — to make our VFD and our community’s fire and rescue protection even stronger.”

Ronald Hudson is a longtime volunteer and has seen firsthand the dedication it takes to keep the department running. “Bringing in part-time paid staff isn’t replacing that spirit — it’s strengthening it. They will help us respond faster, train better, and serve our community more effectively. It’s the best of both worlds: professional support and volunteer heart working together,” said Captain Hudson.

Darren Brinkkoeter serves as a Regional Preparedness & Response Chief at the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), which coordinates the state emergency management program. A former Fire Chief of the Canyon Lake Fire Department for several years, Mr. Brinkkoeter now oversees 28 counties in TDEM’s Region 6. “Fire departments in all 254 counties in Texas strive to provide service to the community in a fiscally responsible way. But each county is unique, and I applaud Kendall County and the Bergheim VFD for their partnership to implement a solution that works best to protect and serve the citizens.”