Hudson Volunteer Fire Department Search and Rescue marks 30th anniversary

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. [KLTV Channel 7 News]

HUDSON — The Hudson Volunteer Fire Department's specialized search and rescue unit marked three decades of service to East Texas with a community celebration featuring refreshments, cake, remarks from leadership and a fundraising auction.

The organization, which operates as a Special Operations Division within the fire department, ranks among the three oldest rescue squads of its kind in the state. Mike Stephens, who serves as president and team coordinator, emphasized the significance of the milestone during remarks at the event.

Stephens attributed the unit's longevity to the dedication required of its volunteer members. "In any volunteer organization, it runs on people," he said, noting the competing demands on volunteers' time from jobs, families and personal obligations. "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," he added.

The search and rescue division began operations in 1996 under the name East Texas Canine Search and Rescue. A decade later, in 2007, the Hudson Volunteer Fire Department formally incorporated the group as its Special Operations Division. According to Stephens, this merger made Hudson the first fire department in Texas to establish a dedicated search and rescue unit functioning separately from traditional fire rescue services.

Though headquartered in Hudson within Angelina County, the unit's jurisdiction spans 14 counties across East Texas, with its volunteer roster drawing from multiple surrounding communities. Looking ahead, Stephens outlined three central needs for the organization's continued growth: recruiting additional volunteers, securing financial donations and boosting public awareness. He noted that funding supports equipment purchases, maintenance costs and ongoing training programs necessary to fulfill the unit's mission across the region.