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CELINA FIRE DEPARTMENT

Community Focused And Purpose Driven

Article by Niki Carbajal

Photography by Nicole Wierick

Originally published in Celina Lifestyle

Celina Fire Department members are committed to a Servant Leadership culture that highly prizes commitment to the Celina community, to the fire department, and to every member of the department. Focusing on accountability, family, and duty, the Celina Fire Department works to provide fire prevention and management and programs designed to protect the lives and property of those who live and work in Celina. 

Jessica Pichardo, Admin Communications Manager with Celina FD, shared information about the department and some of its programs. Celina currently has 2 operating stations: Station 1 on Preston Road and Station 2 in Light Farms. Station 3 located in Sutton Fields is scheduled to open in winter 2024. CFD employs a staff of 62, including firefighters, admin, and fire prevention. The department is actively interviewing to hire 6 firefighters for station 3.  

Celina Fire Department community outreach programs:  

  • Car Seat Inspection Program - Firefighters certified through safekids.org inspect car seats in vehicles for correct installation and offering safety tips. Partnerships with Texas Health Resources and Cook Children's Medical Center work to provide replacement car seats if a parent’s current seat needs replacement. Schedule a free car seat check through Celina FD’s Admin Communications Manager, Jessica Pichardo at jpichardo@celina-tx.gov.  

  • Citizens Fire Academy – a free program to help the residents of Celina be aware of the services that the Fire Department provides, increase fire and life safety awareness, and promote a positive image of the department to the community. The classes provide an up close and personal look into the daily life of a Celina Firefighter with the hope that Celina citizens will fall in love with the fire department and firefighters and have a better appreciation of the department. The academy consists of weekly classes across ten sessions. Contact Celina FD’s Division Chief Justin Beamis at jbeamis@celina-tx.gov for Spring 2024 academy information.  

  • Fired Up About Reading – A summer reading program partnering with the City of Celina library to encourage literacy in elementary students. Firefighters read at the schools and the library and bring along fire trucks for extra engagement. 

  • The Water Watchers Program - Beginning the summer of 2023 to educate the community and keep kids safe, CFD has partnered with Baylor Scott & White Health on the Water Watchers Program. A Water Watcher is a responsible adult who is designated to watch the kids in the water without distractions and wear a Water Watcher badge and lanyard. Lanyards can be picked up at Station 1 and 2.  

  • C-Town LAFS - LAFS is an international organization committed to reducing loss of life, property, and injuries caused by fire and other situations through clowning and puppetry. The program consists of an assembly-style show targeting life safety messages to children in Celina ISD and Prosper ISD elementary schools within the city limits of Celina. The characters are active Celina Fire Department Firefighters and are performed throughout October in honor of Fire Prevention Month. The 2023 Mario Brothers theme involves the characters baking a pizza and what happens when it burns due to lack of attention. The skit focuses on this year's fire safety theme "Cooking Safety Starts with You". 

  • Flipping Pancakes for Fire Prevention – In late September to kick-off October’s Fire Prevention Month. This year, Celina firefighters served over 100 pancakes on Celina’s Historic Downtown Square and distributed free potholders to enforce this year’s cooking safety theme. 

  • Fire Santa – Track the Truck as Santa aka Assistant Fire Chief Eric Everson makes his way to Celina neighborhoods in a fire truck parade. Beginning November 30th, line the streets with your neighbors and get ready to wave and cheer as Santa sits atop a CFD engine. Find the neighborhood schedule here:  Fire Santa | Celina, TX - Life Connected (celina-tx.gov) 

A new non-profit organization, Fire Foundation of Celina, began in July 2023 to strengthen community engagement in its efforts to support the fire department of Celina. Specifically, the foundation will provide hydration to the crews during interventions and events, provide additional support during community events such as open houses and Flipping Pancakes for Fire Prevention, and host fundraisers for educational needs and personal protection equipment. Membership in FFC requires graduation from the city’s Citizen Fire Academy. For more information about FFC and to inquire about financial support, contact Division Chief Justin Beamis at jbeamis@celina-tx.gov and follow on FB at FireFoundationofCelina. 

"Our goal is to increase fire prevention and promote education while connecting with the community in positive & memorable outlets. The CFD is committed to providing professionalism and compassion in everything we do." - Jessica Pichardo

  • photo credit: Holly Farrow