Lamar Volunteer Fire Department

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Now, picture Aransas County, 1963. A group of concerned citizens looked around at what they had, and what they didn't have, and they decided to do something about it.

They formed the Lamar Volunteer Fire Department. Just like that. No waiting on somebody else to handle it.

Concerned citizens, rolling up their sleeves. That's a Texas tradition as old as the dirt itself. These volunteers dedicated themselves to fire prevention, fire-fighting, hurricane patrol, beach patrol, and working alongside the Aransas County Emergency Corps.

You heard that right, hurricane patrol. This wasn't some quiet little outfit with nothing but a hose and a hope. These folks took on whatever the Gulf Coast could throw at a community.

Then came 1964, and they leased land, put up a fire station, and set up shop. That station became home base, and they worked out of it for decades, all the way until 2014. Now here's the part that ought to make you sit up a little straighter.

The whole operation ran on donations and fundraisers. No big municipal budget, no guaranteed line item. Just the community believing in the department, and the department believing right back.

With that, they kept the lights on, kept the trucks running, and kept buying the equipment the job required. For decades, the Lamar Volunteer Fire Department stood between Aransas County and the worst days a community can face, protecting life and property when emergencies came calling. Some outfits wait to be asked.

These folks just showed up.

What the marker says

Established by a group of concerned citizens, the Lamar Volunteer Fire Department formed in 1963. The volunteers dedicated themselves to fire prevention, fire-fighting, hurricane patrol, beach patrol and working with the Aransas County Emergency Corps. In 1964, land was leased for use and a fire station was erected where the department remained until 2014. With a budget based on donations and fundraisers and a staff of volunteers, the fire department works closely with the community to continue operations and purchase required equipment. For decades the Lamar Volunteer Fire Department has provided protection of life and property in Aransas County during times of emergency.