The newest volunteer recruits for the Boerne Fire Department marked a major milestone this past weekend as the firefighters wrapped up their academy training with live fire exercises.
The training, held at the San Antonio College Live Fire Training Facility, was the final – and toughest – part of a six-month journey. Under the watchful eye of experienced training officers, the nine recruits faced real flames, thick smoke, and intense heat, giving them a taste of the conditions they’ll encounter in the field.
The challenging environment tested not just their technical skills but also their ability to stay calm, work together, and make smart decisions under pressure.
“The live fire training is where it all comes together,” Fire Chief Manny Casarez said. “They showed grit, teamwork, and quick thinking – all the things you need to be successful as a firefighter. We’re really proud of how they stepped up.”
The completion of the academy is especially meaningful at a time when fire departments across the country are seeing fewer volunteer firefighters. To combat this trend, BFD has worked hard to build and maintain a strong volunteer culture.
“Volunteerism has dropped over the last few decades, and it’s pretty cool to see that we still have people in Boerne who want to join our culture,” Casarez said. “We put a lot of focus into recruiting the right people. We run our volunteer hiring once a year and mirror the same process we use for career staff.”
Retention, the chief says, comes down to culture and continuous investment.
“We instill our culture and City values early and continue to invest in their future,” he said.
Volunteer firefighters in Boerne play a critical role in the department’s daily operations. They help fill staffing gaps during peak times, assist at major events, support fundraising efforts, and are often called back to help when on-duty crews are working major incidents.
“These new firefighters represent the future of the Boerne Fire Department,” Casarez said. “We’re excited to see them grow and continue the tradition of service, professionalism, and pride that our department is built on.”
The department plans to officially welcome the new firefighters at a ceremony later this year.
