About

The PFD Auxiliary is a service organization formed in the mid 70’s to support the Pedernales Fire Department in fundraising efforts, community awareness/education and emergency situation support. Initially the Auxiliary had a much different role, when all the Fire Dept. members were volunteers. There was a community calling tree and when there was a major fire or event, community members were called upon to make sandwiches and bring cold drinks to the station so the Auxiliary could get the supplies to them. There were dozens of community members who kept a loaf of bread and lunch meat in their freezer for just such a call.

As the years went by a natural maturation of a small fire department was inevitable so the structure of the PFD changed, new and more efficient equipment was added that was able to carry and contain emergency supplies/food and drinks and the introduction of paid employees in the 90’s changed the role of the Auxiliary.

Today the main function of the Auxiliary is fundraising and still some emergency situation support. After the Labor Day fire of 2012, an Auxiliary Emergency Response committee was formed in order to help with the admin support at the Station, the coordination of the food for the hundreds of firefighters and the messaging to the community about needs of the affected community members.

We host a couple of fundraising events each year – a Crawfish Boil in the Spring and our Firehouse Feast in September/October. These events are so well attended and end up being the kind of community event where neighbors see neighbors and sit and visit and enjoy the ambience. We could not do what we do without the fabulous support of the community.

If you are interested in becoming part of this group, join us for our monthly meeting usually on the second Tuesday of the month at Station One at 801 Bee Creek Road. For more  information, call Station One at (512) 264-1476 and you will be contacted by a Board member.

ABOUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CHIEFS AND EMS COORDINATOR

Chief Tony Haden
Tony Haden is a 26-year veteran of the Texas Fire Service.  His career in Central Texas is highlighted by his 23 years with the Austin Fire Department, where he was promoted to the rank of Division Chief as a part of the department’s command staff.  Before being named Fire Chief for the Pedernales Fire Department, Chief Haden was proud to serve as the department’s Assistant Chief.  
Along with Chief Haden’s years of service, he brings to the department a master’s degree in public administration (MPA).  He is also recognized as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) by the Center for Public Safety Excellence and is a Texas Fire Chiefs Association Executive Fire Officer (EFO).  Chief Haden serves in leadership roles in the fire service including his current position as a board member for the Capital Area Fire Chiefs Association (CAFCA).
Chief Haden and his wife Kristin have been married for 25 years.  Together they have raised four wonderful children, Grant (23), Brett (21), Megan (18), and Madi (15).  The Haden’s are active in the local community, love the Texas Hill Country, and are passionate about the Texas Longhorns.
The opportunity to serve this community as Fire Chief for the best department in Travis County is one that Chief Haden is proud to embrace.  If you have a chance at any event, please make sure to say hello so that he can shake your hand.

Assistant Chief Tye Prange
Tye Prange states that the foundation of his life consists of three pillars: faith, family, and fire service. He has over 29 years of firefighting experience and training, and is thankful for those years that have led him to where he is today. Tye grew up in a rural California, enjoying the outdoors. He found a job working for the Forest Service as a wildland firefighter which is where he became hooked on fire service.
Between fire seasons, Tye obtained his EMT and FF certifications. Before he began his full-time career, he enlisted in the Air Force and served for four years on active duty. He was a firefighter in the Air Force primarily stationed at Whiteman AFB in Missouri. In 2000 he began work for the Austin Fire Department where he spent 23 years, north of the Colorado River at busy firehouses.
As a battalion chief he worked in safety, training, and operations. He came to PFD with a desire to foster relationships and personally know each member. He enjoys all things fire service, but has a strong dedication to training and operations.
Tye has been married to Stefannye for 22 years, and she has been his biggest supporter. They have four children, from a daughter who is a sophomore in college, a high school senior son, a son who is a sophomore in high school, and an eighth grade daughter. They enjoy traveling together.
Tye’s favorite quote that applies to fire service:
“I am not here for ME, I am here for WE and we are here for THEM.” -Anchorage Fire Department

EMS Coordinator Clayton Blount
Clay Blount is the EMS Coordinator at Pedernales Fire Department. He came to the Department in December 2019 with his 4-year anniversary approaching quickly. He began a career in the fire service 12 years ago and served in a volunteer manner many years prior to that. His entire family was volunteer firefighters, and he developed a passion for service long before he made the switch to a full-time career. 
Clay has always enjoyed the medical side of FIRE/EMS and jumped quickly at the chance when his former department offered paramedic academy to him. He also worked part-time as a paramedic on a critical-care transport ambulance when he was off duty at his fire department job.
Clay has been married for 18 years and has four children. Ali, who is a Junior at Sam Houston State, is 19, Clay Jr. is 18, Jennifer is 17, and Reba is 16. He says he is honored to serve this community and proud to call himself a member of the Pedernales Fire Department.

Battalion Chief Matthew Montgomery
Matthew was born and raised a Texas native and been a central Texas resident since ‘99. He
started in emergency services in the spring of 2007 as a volunteer firefighter with the South Hays VFD,
where he was easily sold on going to Fire Academy after attending EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)
school the year before.
His time with the Pedernales Fire Department started in January of 2014 when
he began picking up part time shifts at station 803, which had just started operating 12-hour shifts. Fast
forward nearly ten years and he is fortunate enough to be in the position of Training/Staff Battalion
Chief, a brand-new position with unlimited potential. He is hoping to serve as a bridge for FD members
between where they are and where they want to be.
He currently lives in Georgetown with his wife, Caithrin, and twin, two-year-old sons, Alistair and Oliver.