HUDSON, Texas (KTRE) - The Hudson Volunteer Fire Department Search and Rescue team celebrated its 30th anniversary by inviting community members to mark the milestone with food, cake, speeches and a fundraising auction.

The organization, which operates as the Special Operations Division of the Hudson Volunteer Fire Department, ranks as the third-oldest search and rescue team in Texas."In any volunteer organization, it runs on people," said Mike Stephens, president and team coordinator for Hudson SAR.

"In our times, everybody's time is stretched; they've got kids and family and jobs and so on. So being able to have folks that are dedicated to do the training, to come to the meetings, to work on the equipment and to show up for searches and to remain for 30 years is quite a milestone."Continued call for volunteers and fundingStephens outlined three ongoing priorities for the organization moving forward: recruitment, community donations, and public awareness."We need people to carry out our mission," Stephens said.