Retired Fireman Unite

12/09/2025

Coley Rawlins brother passed away today.
He sure could use some fire brother love from you guys.
Give him a little shout out.

09/05/2025

Prayers for all who are involved, their families and their fire families.

07/09/2025

At this time, we simply do not have the words to express our deep gratitude for the outpouring of support and resources we’ve received during the ongoing search for Chief Phillips.

Engine 5522 has been placed in front of our station for those who wish to pay their respects. Your kindness and solidarity mean more than we can ever say. This is truly a nightmare, and we remain hopeful for closure in the near future.

We will continue the search for Chief Phillips with unwavering determination. Please keep us in your thoughts, and we will share any updates as soon as we are able.

05/28/2025

05/28/2025

Wow!

03/20/2025

03/01/2025

Hi Guys! Just wanted to let y'all know that this page may be going away.
I keep getting "messages from Meta" saying we are doing something wrong.
I think it's spam because each message is from someone else, so I am not clicking on any links.
So if we go away then you will know it must of been real.
If that happens then I will open another one because we want to keep the Retired FD Family together!
I am sorry we have not posted much lately, Coley has some health problems and just had cataract surgery and I broke my back a few years ago and I do depend on him for so many things but we are not giving up on life's challenges by any means!
Please remember to post any pictures of your FD days, we would love to see them.

I don't remember what year this pic was taken but I know that the child standing in the black shirt is now 25 years old, so it's been a day or two since we took a few of the grandkids to see Station 5 (Papaw's old stomping grounds).

01/18/2025

Copied from another page.

We are heartbroken to share that Assistant Chief Ralph Bob Orlando passed away at 9:20 this morning. Chief Orlando was a friend and mentor to many, a warrior for all. He was a decorated, Marine combat veteran who served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1969. He spent three Christmases, birthdays, Easters, and July 4ths deployed. He never thought he would make it through that time by his own account, but he did, and we are eternally grateful for the time God shared him with the world.

His selfless life of service continued back home where he spent several years as a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Agent before joining Temple Fire & Rescue in February of 1980. Chief Orlando retired from Temple on April 5th of 2006, and began a second career with Morgan’s Point Resort Fire-Rescue just 13 days later. He went on to serve our community for 19 years, and was an active-duty member of our organization at the time of his passing. His dedication to our Morgan’s Point Resort community was also shared with the police department, where he served as a Reserve Officer.

Chief Orlando was passionate about education and training. He led from the front for many years, attaining certification as a Master Firefighter, Arson and Fire Investigator, Fire Service Instructor, Licensed Paramedic and Peace Officer. Though cancer took his ability to speak some years back, it could never take his voice. His was the voice of experience and reason. It was one I have relied on throughout my time here. Chief Orlando laid the foundation for our Education Services Division, and his final charge to me was that “When it’s over honor me by training more good firefighters/medics.” Chief, you can rest easy on that one…we will take it from here.

“Combat” is a term we in the fire service use to talk about the task at hand, the dirty, dangerous, and hard work of firefighting. Chief Orlando kept a combat-ready fitness level beyond that of some of our youngest members until cancer returned to claim his health. The ability to do the job was important to him, but the ethos to be a true warrior was a central value of his. He was a man of character and integrity beyond reproach who followed the words of Theodore Roosevelt to “speak softly, but carry a big stick, you will go far.” He was known for a rough and gruff exterior at times, but had a tenderness and faith that tempered those qualities, and he certainly went far in this life.

“His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matthew 25:23 KJV)

Chief Orlando will be laid to rest amongst his brothers in arms at the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery on January 29th at 10 AM. True to form, his request was a simple, graveside service.

-Chief Vaszocz

12/25/2024

MERRY CHRISTMAS GUYS AND GALS!
And a wonderful NEW YEAR!

06/06/2024

We are looking for a few of Coleys former fireman buddies who are willing to come help cut down and haul off trees that were damaged in the tornado.
Really need the help!

08/29/2023

The Memorial service for Retired Chief Ron Snider will be Sunday September 3rd at the Temple Elks Lodge at 2613 Airport rd. This is a C-Shift day.

The Family will receive visitors starting at 1500, at 1600 there will be short ceremonies by the Fire Department and the Elks lodge members and immediately following those there will be a time of fellowship with family and friends.

Honor guard will be needed for this ceremony so please contact Santos for details.

06/03/2023