Glenna Pearce, a Hollywood Park City Council member, is urging fellow residents to get involved in efforts to honor the town’s original volunteer fire department.

The background

At the Oct. 17 council meeting, Pearce proposed establishing a formal tribute to Hollywood Park’s past VFD.

Pearce mentioned an article that chronicled the origins of the Hollywood Park VFD. According to Pearce and the article, Robert Oakes, a resident since 1957, and some other community members realized a need for a fire department in the late '50s.

The residents attended a firefighters’ school at Texas A&M University in 1958, returned to Hollywood Park and founded a VFD.

Digging deeper

According to Pearce and the article, the volunteer firefighters organized their first barbecue fundraiser in 1968 at Raymond Russell Park.

The fundraiser would go on to take place for several more years at the same north side park, generating funds to support the purchase of equipment.

A plaque honoring Hollywood Park’s VFD is located inside the fire station, but Pearce suggested a more prominent location for such a tribute, possibly at Memorial Park.

City officials recently revised requirements for residents to petition for a formal tribute at Memorial Park. A ceremony will be held Oct. 26 at Memorial Park for the unveiling of a plaque honoring the late David Swan, a past council member.

Mayor Sean Moore and other council members agreed it would be a good idea if residents petition to formally honor Hollywood Park’s VFD with a plaque in a more public space.

Moore also suggested honoring local firefighters who have died in the line of duty, including Oakes who died from smoke inhalation while saving a baby from a house fire.

What they’re saying

Pearce said a potential larger memorial for the VFD would further demonstrate the strength of community in Hollywood Park.

“I think the history is important, and it’s what helped to bring to fruition what we have now—a strong fire department,” she added.