The history of the Pecan Grove Fire Department is one of transformation, hard work, and perseverance.

The department's story began with, Kathy Golden, the woman who would become the department’s first Fire Chief, moving to Pecan Grove in September of 1981 with her husband. At the time, she was a certified basic firefighter. She promptly joined the Richmond Fire Department and then met Curtis Brown, the man who would become the department’s second Fire Chief. Recognizing the geographic challenges of emergency response across the railroad tracks separating Richmond and Pecan Grove, the Richmond Fire Chief encouraged them to consider starting their own department.

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Golden and Brown brought the idea to the Property Owners Association (POA) and the Pecan Grove Community Improvement Association (CIA) at a business meeting, asking for support to establish a volunteer fire department. Both organizations were receptive and willing to help.

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A committee of six residents went door to door in Pecan Grove, asking for a $15 donation as a startup fee and encouraging residents to contribute a voluntary $6 monthly fee on their water bills to support the new department. In January 1983, after receiving its state charter and 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, the department began recruiting members. At the time, it had no gear, no vehicles, and no station. Fortunately, three neighboring fire departments donated gear to help Pecan Grove get on its feet.

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Before 1985, Curtis Brown attended the Scout Fair at the Astro hall in Houston and located the department’s first fire truck. To purchase it, he secured a $15,000 loan—the first loan in the department’s history. Since the new department still had no station, the Richmond Fire Department graciously allowed the truck to be housed at their station.

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In 1985, Ida and Glenn Pitts sold property on Pitts Road to Golden and Brown. That same year, the foundation was poured and the frame of what is now Station 1 was constructed. Brown envisioned a future for the department that included large fire engines, so the station was built with 16-foot bay doors to accommodate them. Joe Bohacek, who owned the home on the backside of the property, became a close friend to Golden and Brown and even joined in the department’s Christmas celebrations.

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Later that year, Chuck Broussard, a Houston firefighter and collector of antique fire engines, asked if he could store three of his vehicles at the new fire station. Pecan Grove agreed—and with Broussard’s permission, the department operated with the three engines. The engines, included a four-door Mack, a mid-1950s open cab B Model Mack, and a Seagrave engine. Golden and Brown designed the fire station’s floorplan by visiting neighboring departments and, with the help of volunteers, completed the construction.

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In 1986, the department purchased a new delivery-style bread truck for personnel transport. Over time, they added four emergency seats. The department frequently sent volunteers to training in Beaumont and at Texas A&M.

In 1987, the department added a 1966 refurbished Fire Boss—the "Dallas truck"—to its fleet. Then, in early 1989, Pecan Grove purchased its first brand-new fire engine. Brown and Broussard traveled to Pennsylvania to retrieve it. Along the way, inclement weather made them go to Washington, D.C., where they parked the engine in College Park, Maryland, and spent the night. The next day, they returned to Texas, where Golden and other volunteers eagerly awaited the engine’s arrival at Station 1.

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During the 1990s, most of the county’s fire services were still run by volunteers. While larger city departments began hiring full-time personnel, smaller departments like Pecan Grove remained volunteer-based. In 1993, the department had one firefighter on duty during the day, and the business manager also responded to calls. By 1997, staffing increased to two firefighters on weekdays and one overnight. Curtis Brown handled all mechanical work on the department's vehicles until Ray Horelica later took over engine maintenance.

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By December 2002, both Kathy Golden and Curtis Brown had retired. Kathy Golden was the Fire Chief from 1982 to 1988 and again from 1989-2000.  Curtis Brown was the Fire Chief from 1988 to 1989.  Larry Perry, the department’s third Fire Chief, served from 2002 to 2008. Paul Ledoux then led from 2008 to 2012, followed by Joey Woolley, who served a decade-long tenure until 2022. That year, the current Fire Chief Jerod Vontz assumed the position.

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In 2012, the department opened Station 2, staffing both stations with one firefighter per shift. After 2014, the department implemented the Fire MUD Plan, transitioning the formerly voluntary monthly donation into a mandatory fee to support operations. In 2016, staffing increased again, assigning two firefighters to each station. In 2022, the department added a shift supervisor role—known as the Battalion Chief (BC). Then, in 2024, the department reached a new milestone: both fire stations became fully staffed with three firefighters each.

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As the area grows and changes, the department grows with it—committed to serving the community and responding to its ever-changing needs.