GUADALUPE COUNTY, Texas - Guadalupe County Fire and Rescue has grown significantly since becoming fully operational in 2022, expanding from a five-person department to 21 firefighters as the county continues to grow.

The department was established in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed its full-time operations until 2022.

At the time, Fire Marshal Patrick Pinder said the department had just five firefighters providing coverage on a three-on, two-off split.