Our History
The Cy-Fair Fire Department (CFFD) provides professional fire and emergency medical services to the citizens of Northwest Harris County. From its beginnings in the late 1950s, the Cy-Fair FD is now one of the largest, busiest combination fire departments in the United States, with over 26,000 emergency responses each year. Cy-Fair FD covers the 164 square mile area of Harris County Emergency Services District Number 9 (HCESD9) in the unincorporated part of Northwest Harris County. Responding from thirteen stations strategically located throughout the territory; the 350+ men and women of the fire department are among the best-trained and equipped firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in the nation.
Then & Now
In the late 1950s, the Cypress area was served by the Jersey Village, Houston, and Fairbanks Fire Departments. After a home was destroyed by fire due to a 20-minute response time by the first unit, the need for a closely located fire department became apparent. Recognizing the need, the Cypress Civic Club held a meeting to check into the Fairbanks Fire Department. In 1961, the Fairbanks Fire Department charter was changed to become the Cypress-Fairbanks Volunteer Fire Department. As fire coverage needs grew in the Cypress area, the department charter was again changed in 1962 to become the Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department. The department went through another change in 1980 when an 80-square mile section of Cy-Fair was charted as the Cypress-Creek Fire department. This area had 18,000 residents and 5000 homes. Sixteen (16) men that were part of Cy-Fair became the Cypress Creek Fire department. On January 1, 2020, the Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department merged with HCESD#9 to become the the Cy-Fair Fire Department.
Equipment
Boosters
In 1972, grass fires were probably the busiest area for the Department and there was a great need for Booster trucks. The Department purchased 4 Chevrolet chassis from Kitzman Chevrolet. Stations 1, 2, 3, and 5 received the chassis and purchased materials to design and build the grass trucks, with most or all of the work being done by the members themselves. The original grass trucks have been replaced through the years. Boosters are currently housed at Stations 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 11.
Pumpers
Most pumpers until 1972 were built by the members or locally. At that time, the department purchased a 1972 and a 1973 Ward LaFrance Class A engines. The 1972 engine was housed at Station 2. The 1973 engine was housed at Station 3. Up until that time, all units in the Department were Class B pumpers, with ratings less than 500 gallons per minute (GPM). These two new units were modern, state-of-the-art Class A pumpers.
In 1976, the Department purchased an American LaFrance and placed it at Station 5. Another American LaFrance was purchased in 1979, which became Engine 1. A mini attack unit was also purchased about this time and was used for several years, by various stations, before being sold.
In 1981, Cy-Fair VFD purchased a new Peter-Pirsch ladder truck. This 75' stick was first housed at Station 3. Along with the rapid expansion with new stations being built, 2 new Ford LaFrance jump-seat type pumpers were purchased in 1982. After receiving these pumpers, another unit of the same type was purchased in 1984. An '83 Spartan Rescue Truck was also acquired during this time.
In 1986, 5 new 1500-GPM General Class A pumpers and a new 3,000-gallon International tanker were added to the Department. In 1991, 4 Pierce Class pumpers, an International rescue truck, and a Spartan LTI ladder truck were bought.
Current
New firefighting equipment was not the only equipment added to the Department. Originally, 5 Ford Crown Victoria were purchased to become cars for the Chiefs, along with a 1985 Chevrolet Suburban. There are now four Chevrolet Tahoes, fourteen Expeditions, and eight Ford Heavy-Duty Trucks in use for Chief Officer response.
In 1986, Rehab 1 Don Grogg donated a full-size van, to the Ladies Auxiliary, for use in 10-17 calls. Rehab is a very important part of firefighting as the apparatus' main purpose is the rehabilitation of exhausted firefighters on extended scenes. Rehab 1 has subsequently been upgraded to a 2002 Ford F550 made specifically for the Auxiliary.
Dozer 3 was added and donated to the department from the Texas Forestry Service, and is used to directly fight wildland and large grass fires. It has since been replaced with a purchased Komatsu dozer that is larger and more versatile. It is transported to scenes with a 2001 FL80 Roll-Off Transporter.
The department has a Special Operations trailer for confined space rescues and collapse operations. Also, after the torrential rainfall in 2016, the Department acquired a 5-ton High-Water Transporter to be used in mass-victim transport in flooded areas. Along with this, the department has five boats to be used in water rescue, as well as during flood emergencies.
Lastly, the Public Relations Division houses a "Smoke House" for educational purposes and training, allowing individuals to understand the smoky conditions that can be in the home if it were on fire.
The Department presently has over 600 members and employees with thirteen stations covering approximately 164 square miles. This is one of the largest combination fire departments in the United States.
In the early years, firefighters bought all their own gear. Today, a firefighter is issued full bunker gear, boots, radio, badge, uniform shirts, and duty shirts. Cost to outfit a firefighter with bunker gear, boots and pager is approximately $4,000.
Ambulance
In 1971, the need was justified for some type of additional first aid for the area. Graham Ambulance Service, located in Spring Branch, and the City of Houston were serving the community at this time.
A vehicle was purchased to be built out as an equipment truck for first aid. A chassis was bought from Kitzman Chevrolet and taken to Koenig to have a box built on the back. Later the members added some stainless steel cabinets for extra equipment. The vehicle was housed at the Chief's home since he was Emergency Medical Services (EMS)-certified. There were not too many EMS-certified people in the Department then.
Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) became involved in the ambulance business in about 1980. Cameron Iron Works (now Wymann Gordon) purchased the first unit and donated it to the Department. The Department went on to purchase another used unit, a 1979 Ford module unit.
Later the department purchased two new 1981 Ford van-type units for Station 5 and 10. In 1983, the department bought the first Wheel Coach module. Additional units of this type were bought and have replaced some of the early units. With this fleet of ambulances, the EMS program grew stronger each year. Initially, the ambulances were staffed with all volunteer crews. Later, two primary ambulances were manned with paid crews at nights. Now with the funding from the HCESD9, thirteen ambulances are staffed with paid crews, 24 hours a day and are staffed at the Advanced Life Support (ALS) Level with Paramedics and EMTs.
Fire Chiefs
The Department has had few Fire Chiefs in its 55 years. The first Fire Chief was Chief John Morgan, who was also the first Board President. Charlie Radcliffe, a Houston firefighter, became Fire Chief around 1965. Chief Radcliffe served more years than any other Chiefs to date. In the late 1970s he stepped down for one year to let Stanley Hubbard serve a one-year term of office. In 1981 Jack Fry was elected Chief. In the spring of 1982, he and his Assistant Chief resigned. The Board of Directors appointed then-District Chief Harry Cull to finish this term. In 1983, Chief Cull was elected to serve his own term until the fall of 1985, when he resigned. His Assistant Chief, Glenn Gates, finished his term and continued to serve as Chief until 1990. Marc Hudson from Station 3 was elected and served for one term, from 1990 to 1992. Chief J.C. Marshall from Station 8 was elected in 1992 and served till 2002. Chief Joe Davis from Station 7 was elected in 2002 and in 2009 became the department's first full-time Fire Chief, serving until 2013. Rodney Janczak served as Interim Fire Chief from 2013 to 2014. Amy Ramon was hired in 2014 and is the current Fire Chief.