About Our Department
Angleton Volunteer Fire Department
In the early 1900's, the men that provided fire fighting services to the City of Angleton were true volunteers. The father of the late Neal Giesecke Senior, who was known to all as "Grandpa", was one of the cornerstones of the early fire department. During this time, himself and his children (Neal, Bell, and Johnny) along with Tom Smith and others who happened to be around fought the fires as they happened. They had a pump on wheels and pulled it to the fires. Once at the fire, they would pump water from wells, water-troughs, and ponds. Later this fire fighting apparatus was replaced with a Ford truck
driven by Bill Van Dorn.
On March 21, 1928, the fire department was officially organized with Neal Giesecke Sr. as the chief. Other members who helped form this band of heroes were W. H. Lee, J. B. Jackson, J. G. Jackson, B.D. Sweeney, H. H. Sharpe, Woody Welch, Bell Giesecke, W. G. Stewart, Bob Bailes, F. B. Cannon, Fred Burridge, L. C. Wait, Henry Sims, Dave Smith, and Dave Hill. The Trustees of the newly form fire department were Thomas Morrison, Harry Sharpe, and E. R. Cannan.
With the City of Angleton growing, the department replaced the old Ford truck with a chemical truck with a pump. This would be the only fire apparatus that the members had until they moved into their first official fire house. Until then, the members continued to meet and store their prized fire truck in a sheet-iron building, but as years pasted, the department soon took residence in their first fire station. After moving, the Angleton Volunteer Fire Department bought their second apparatus. This was a white Ford fire truck. Since then with the support of the City of Angleton, its citizens, Brazoria County, and most important the devotion of all the current and past fire fighters and their families, the department has flourished into highly respected department with approximately 40 members and 10 fire apparatus. The Department currently has three fire
stations; one in the center of town, one on the south side of town, and a 3rd station on the northside.
Even though the level of required training and types of emergencies has changed since the early 1900's, one thing stays constant. The brave members who sacrifice their time and energy that make up the Angleton Volunteer Fire Department will continue to protect and serve Angleton and the surrounding area to their fullest extent. This devotion and honor is what brings pride to the City of Angleton and the family of the Angleton Volunteer Fire Department.
