East End VFD held their annual Officer Installment Banquet last night
East End Volunteer Fire Department Spokesperson
Tonight, East End VFD had their annual Officer Installment Banquet.
We had a wonderful meal provided by Rue's BBQ.
Our guest speaker was the new Sheriff of Jasper County, Chuck Havard. Sheriff Havard talked about his 1st week in office and the things that he has already changed and the new changes to come.
This year East End took possession of a 185lbs rescue dummy, a fire prop that firefighters can study flow paths and create flash over events, a smoke machine along with a laptop for the Training Chief. This purchase was able to be made with a grant from the Texas A&M Forestry Service.
East End is also proud of 5 of the members that participated in the adult fire academy taught by Kilgore College. These 5 firefighters spent 4 months going twice a week during the evening and on some Saturdays. Congratulations to Doug Miller, Brent Sharek, Larry Neel, Albert Clark and Corey Deavers on their accomplishment.
We also had a JR Firefighter get promoted tonight. Madysen Smith joined in 2023 and was promoted to a regular firefighter since turning 18.
Our special guest tonight were ESD4 Commissioner Chris Lanier, Chief Deputy Larry Pullum, Tri Community Fire Chief Joe Morgan, PCT 3 County Commissioner Willie Stark, County Judge Mark Allen, ESD 4 Commissioner and Retired Firefighter Calvin Cooper, PCT 2 County Commissioner Kevin Holloway, Bishop Chapel Church Preacher Mike Hancock, Beech Groove VFD Fire Chief Jamie Gunter, Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard, Billy Ted Smith, Jasper Fire Chief and Fire Marshall Brandon Duckworth, Jasper Firefighter Keith Morgan, Steve Stewart with KJAS, Rene Kelley and Todd Stott and Keith Morgan with Jasper County ESD4 Honor Guard.
Jasper County ESD4 Honor Guard allowed us tonight to show off their Ceremony Bell. This bell is used during funerals for fallen firefighter.
Our 2024 Run Report.
We ended the 2024 year with 3 structure fires, 9 Wildland fires, 10 Motor Vehicle Accidents, 2 Med/LZ, 4 Investigated found no fire, 3 Canceled enroute, 3 Control Burns, 1 Mutual Aid Structure fire, 1 Mutual Aid Wildland fire and 8 Public Service Call for a total of 44 calls. We drove a total of 1,136 Miles and pumped 68,625 Gallons of water.
Last year during the bad fire season we had 73 Total calls, drove 3,252 miles and pumped 47,950 gallons of water.
Our first award was a service award. This member joined in 2017 and he worked for Coastal Welding Supplies. While working and being in the Department he worked online to get certified as a Firefighter and EMT. He now works for Needham Fire Rescue in Montgomery County ESD#4 and was just promoted to Engine Operator. Chase Bergstorm Left the Department in 2022 to further expand his career as a firefighter. We were proud to present Chase with his 6 Year Service Award. Due to a work conflict Chase was not able to make the Banquet.
The next award was a service/retirement award. This member joined in 2004 and in his 21 Years has served as a firefighter, captain, Chaplin and his last position President. This member has always been ready to serve his community. He is an active deacon at Bishop Chapel Baptist Church and currently works for Arbogen. Rodeny Pickering has been a great mentor to the Department and will be greatly missed around the Department. Rodney received his 21 service/retirement award along with a jacket.
The next award was the Chiefs award. This person is chosen by the Chief for their hard work and dedication. This member joined in 2023. He is always ready to help when needed. He is one of the firefighters the completed the adult fire academy. Sometimes this member shows up early to check trucks before meeting starts. This member was just voted to become Captain of Station 2. The 2024 Chiefs award goes to Doug Miller.
The final award is the Firefighter of the Year. This award is voted on by the Department. This member also joined in 2023 he is always ready to learn something new and is also a graduate of the 1st adult fire academy. This member was just voted to become Captain of Station 1. The 2024 Firefighter of the year goes to Brent Sharek. Due to Brent being sick he could not make the Banquet.
Judge Mark Allen swore in our 2025 Officers
Chief Corey Deavers
Asst Chief Bob Gary
Training Chief Albert Clark
Captain 1 Brent Sharek
Captain 2 Doug Miller
President Leonard Johnston
Sec/Tres Karen Oxley
Chaplin Larry Neel
Our big door prize was won by County Commissioner Kevin Holloway. Which was a 45QT Grizzly Cooler Donated by Rural Pipe and Supplies.
Our Door prizes were provided by Oreilly Auto Parts, AutoZone, Farmers Feed, Walmart, Weaver Brothers Dodge, Parker's Lumber, OCBM Jasper, Summer's Back Yard Creations (Summer Martindale), WC Tractor Jasper, Always Remember, Cedar Tree, Lakeway Tire, Modica Bros, Harbor Freight Tools, The M+Em Collections(Emily Marcantel), Platinum Nutrition and Rural Pipe and Supplies in Jasper.
We like to thank Jasper Fire Department for the use of their station.
Photos courtesy of East End Volunteer Fire Department
