Chappell Hill Volunteer Fire Department: 2024 Annual Update
- Chappell Hill VFD
- Sep 23
- 6 min read
The Chappell Hill Volunteer Fire Department (CHVFD) proudly presents our 2024 annual update, reflecting a year of significant growth, dedication, and community service. From rising call volumes to expanded training and community involvement, our members have worked tirelessly to meet the needs of our district and beyond.
Rising Call Volume
In 2024, CHVFD responded to 244 calls for service, averaging 23–24 calls per month—a 73% increase from 2023's total of 141 calls. October proved to be the busiest month, with 31 calls recorded.
Looking at the broader period from August 2022 to December 2024, the department answered 446 calls, averaging 18–19 per month. The majority of these incidents (72.9%) fell into the "other calls" category, which includes vehicle accidents, hazmat incidents, fire alarms, and non-fire emergencies. Fire-related calls accounted for 24.2%, while rescue-related calls made up 2.9%
Overlapping Emergencies
As our call volume increases, CHVFD is encountering more overlapping emergencies—times when a new call for service comes in while crews are already engaged in another incident. These situations can stretch resources to the limit, requiring rapid coordination, mutual aid, or prioritization based on severity.
In 2024, there were six incidents where a second call came in while firefighters were already committed to another emergency. Each of these cases required careful management to ensure both calls were handled effectively.
Overlapping calls highlight the importance of volunteer availability and underscore the essential role community support plays in maintaining readiness. Tracking this data for the first time provides the department with a clearer picture of operational challenges and helps guide future planning.
Multiple Call Days
In addition to overlapping emergencies, 2024 saw many days with multiple calls occurring within a 24-hour period. This puts added pressure on volunteers, who balance firefighting duties with work and family commitments.
Here's the full breakdown of multiple call days in 2024:
32.6% of the year (119 days) had just a single call.
10.95% of the year (40 days) had two calls.
3.83% of the year (14 days) had three calls.
0.54% of the year (2 days) had four calls.
This totals 56 multiple-call days where firefighters were tasked with responding to two or more emergencies in a single day. This previously untracked data will serve as a baseline for understanding trends and preparing staffing strategies for busier days.
Types of Calls
The nature of emergencies we respond to continues to evolve. In 2024, CHVFD saw:
110 vehicle accidents – a 292% increase from 2023.
36 dispatched/canceled en route calls – up 71%.
23 grass fires – up 15%.
12 building fires – up 33%.
10 unauthorized controlled burns – doubled from last year.
Four vehicle extrications – a 100% increase from the previous year.
Overall:
18% of calls were fire-related.
3.7% were rescue/EMS-related (no medical assists).
78.3% were other call types, such as MVAs, hazmat, false alarms, or good intent calls
Calls by Day of the Week
An analysis of 2024 data shows how calls were distributed throughout the week. This breakdown helps the department identify busier days and plan for resource availability.
Saturday: Average of 33 incidents
Sunday: Average of 31.5 incidents
Tuesday: Average of 31.5 incidents
Friday: Average of 30.5 incidents
Thursday: Average of 25 incidents
Monday: Average of 21 incidents
Wednesday: Average of 20 incidents
While emergencies can occur at any time, patterns in this data indicate that weekends and early weekdays tend to be the busiest periods. This insight enables CHVFD to anticipate peak demand and adjust volunteer scheduling to ensure resources are available when needed most.
Turnout Time
Turnout time measures the time it takes for an apparatus to leave the station after a call is received.
For 2024:
Average turnout time: 8 minutes, 42 seconds
NFPA 1710 career standard goal: <80 seconds (met 3.6% of the time)
CHVFD goal: <5 minutes (met 16.24% of the time)
Most delays were caused by staffing availability, which accounted for 77.15% of turnout delays. A tiny percentage (0.02%) came from call cancellations after the truck had already been assigned.
Response Time
Response time refers to the time it takes to arrive at the emergency after dispatch.
NFPA 1720 volunteer standard: <14 minutes in rural areas (goal = 80% of responses)
CHVFD achievement: Met in 52.35% of calls
Average response time: 13 minutes, 53 seconds
Personnel goal: 6 firefighters per call (achieved 26.47% of the time)
These numbers indicate that CHVFD is within national rural volunteer standards, but highlight the challenges of maintaining consistent staffing levels to meet every standard.
Travel Time
Travel time refers to the duration it takes to drive to the scene after the truck has left the station.
NFPA 1710 career standard: <4 minutes
CHVFD Average Travel Time: 5 Minutes & 7 Seconds
CHVFD is using this data to:
Build historical records of travel times
Identify "hot spots" in the district that regularly exceed the 4-minute mark
Explore the potential need for future growth to improve coverage
The department is currently generating a "Heat Map" that will be published in 2026 to identify the department's "Hot Zones," which have a travel time of greater than 4 minutes from the fire station.
By analyzing where calls consistently take longer to reach, the department can better plan for future growth and ensure the community continues to receive fast, reliable service.
Mutual Aid
In 2024, CHVFD engaged in 52 mutual aid incidents:
14 times providing aid to neighboring departments such as Brenham FD, Meyersville VFD, Salem VFD, Washington VFD, and Hempstead FD.
38 times receiving aid, often involving multiple assisting agencies per call
Brenham FD: 26 Responses
Salem VFD: 11 Responses
Meyersville VFD: 8 Responses
Bellville VFD: 3 Responses
Berlin VFD: 3 Responses
Prarie Hill VFD: 1 Response
Rocky Creek VFD: 1 Response
Washington VFD: 1 Response
Time Commitment
Our firefighters dedicate thousands of hours each year to protecting the Chappell Hill community.
In 2024 alone:
26 days, 13 hours — responding to emergencies
4 days, 20 hours — community relations (fundraisers, parades, events)
3 days, 22 hours — station cleanup and preparation after calls
📌 Total: Nearly 10% of the year spent volunteering in service to the community.
This notable contribution underscores the unwavering dedication and sacrifices made by our volunteers, who balance the demanding responsibilities of firefighting with their professional obligations, family commitments, and the complexities of everyday life. These individuals exemplify resilience and selflessness, often responding to emergencies at a moment's notice while managing their work schedules and nurturing their personal relationships. Their commitment not only ensures the safety of our community but also reflects the profound impact of their service in the face of significant personal challenges.
Training
Training is the backbone of readiness. In 2024, CHVFD invested heavily in developing skills across firefighting, leadership, and medical care:
384 hours — operations & rescue training
250 hours — leadership development
292 hours — medical training & continuing education
📌 Total: 932 hours of training — 10.63% of the year devoted solely to preparedness
By consistently training, CHVFD ensures our volunteers are ready for anything — from structure fires to hazardous materials calls.
Looking Ahead
As Chappell Hill continues to grow, so do the demands on our fire department. The data from 2024 makes this clear: call volumes surged by 73% over 2023, with firefighters responding to 244 incidents. We also recorded 56 multiple-call days and six overlapping emergencies, where a second call came in while crews were already working another incident. These numbers show that the pace and complexity of emergencies are increasing year after year.
One of the key areas of focus moving forward is response readiness. With an average turnout time of 8 minutes and 42 seconds, and response times meeting the national volunteer standard only 52.35% of the time, there is room for improvement. Travel time analysis revealed several "hot spots" in our district where incidents consistently take longer than four minutes to reach. As a result, the department is actively evaluating the potential for future growth to reduce delays and ensure faster service throughout our expanding community within the next 10 years.
Another priority is recruiting and retaining volunteers. The data shows that calls are spread throughout the week, with weekends and early weekdays averaging over 30 incidents each. This steady workload places a heavy demand on volunteers. Investing in training — which totaled 932 hours in 2024 — and leadership development will remain crucial to keeping firefighters prepared and engaged, while also helping them balance their service with work and family life.
We also recognize the importance of sustainable funding. Rising call volumes, more frequent emergencies, and expanded training requirements all increase costs for gear, fuel, and equipment maintenance. Without sufficient resources, the department risks falling behind the community's rapid growth. The nearly 10% of the year that CHVFD members spend volunteering highlights the commitment of our firefighters, but continued community support and investment are essential to maintaining and expanding operations.
Finally, CHVFD will continue to build on its community outreach and education efforts. Whether it's fundraising events, fire safety programs, or public meetings, our goal is to strengthen the connection between the department and the residents we serve.
📌 The data tells the story: more calls, more complexity, and more demands on our volunteers. With your support, CHVFD will continue to grow, adapt, and provide the reliable service that Chappell Hill deserves.
If you would like to support our efforts, please click the link below to donate to our organization.
If you have any questions or would like to see a specific set of data next year, please let us know!
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