Austonio VFD

07/11/2026

It is with profound sadness and broken hearts that we mark the final call and End of Watch for our beloved Fire Safety Chief, Dan Hernandez. Dan passed away earlier today surrounded by family, friends and his fellow firefighters. Dan had been hospitalized after suffering a medical emergency earlier this week while on a call. Whether answering emergency calls, supporting his fellow firefighters, or lending a helping hand whenever it was needed, he carried himself with courage, compassion and dedication. His commitment to protecting our community reflected the very best of being a volunteer fire fighter. We honor Dan’s sacrifice and his impact on all of us who had the privilege to know him and serve alongside him. We ask that you keep his wife Valerie, his son Trey, his grandsons Brayden and Bradley, his extended family, friends, and colleagues in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. His passing will leave an immeasurable void within our department and throughout the community he so proudly served. Dan will be deeply missed, but his kindness and dedication to our community will never be forgotten.

07/04/2026

Happy 250th USA!

06/22/2026

06/12/2026

Austonio VFD would like to thank our neighboring fire departments for their help in extinguishing a barn and equipment fire last Saturday. Porter Springs Volunteer Fire Dept., Midway Volunteer Fire Dept., Lovelady Volunteer Fire Dept., Weldon Volunteer Fire Dept.

04/07/2026

Training with the new tanker.

03/06/2026

AVFD responded to a major accident on Hwy 21 yesterday. To the citizens who took time out of their personal lives to render aid, we thank you! Some of these individuals used saws and machetes to cut their way into the trees to get to the individual and kept him still and awake until medical personnel (EMS) could arrive and render professional care. Others helped with clean-up and communication on scene. It takes a village, and ours is wonderful! If any of our village would like to join our volunteer department, please do. Any time you can offer is valuable, and it will answer some of those “why are they doing it that way?” questions. 🤗😊 God bless and be safe!

02/25/2026

Houston County

02/22/2026

Today and the next couple of days are not good days to do any type of burning. Very low humidity and high winds are right at the critical threshold of becoming a Red Flag day. Please refrain from doing any type of outdoor burning.

02/17/2026

Austonio Vfd took delivery of a 2026 Freightliner 2,000 gallon pumper/tanker. Outfitted with a 1000 gpm Hale pump capable of pump and roll. It has a extended front bumper with a remote nozzle and also has a 2.5 preconnect hose tray in the bumper and many other extras. This was made possible thru HB2604 Grant and implemented thru Texas A&M Forest Service. Total grant was $300,000 ,other funds that helped were thru the Houston County ESD2. A big thank you to Safe Industries and Fire Master Equipment for their outstanding work. This truck will help protect our community and surrounding areas. Austonio Vfd has also received a grant for $45,000 for a slip on pump unit and $25,000 for fire equipment. Again a Big Thank You!