Community Volunteer Fire Department Honors Heroes at Annual Banquet Celebrating Service and Dedication
Over the weekend, the Community Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD) paused from the fast pace of emergency response to celebrate the people behind the uniforms. Its annual holiday banquet brought members together for an evening of reflection, gratitude, and well-earned recognition.
Held each December, the banquet honors those who have gone above and beyond in their service to the community. This year’s top award recipients included:
- EMT of the Year: Emily Pidgeon
- Paramedic of the Year: Max Zapata
- Fire Officer of the Year: Adrian Mendoza
- EMS Officer of the Year: Macie Miranda
- Firefighter of the Year: Andy Lopez
- Junior Firefighter of the Year: Grace Kucera
The evening also included special recognition for members who have reached milestone years of service—from 5 years all the way to 25—highlighting the deep commitment many bring to the department year after year.
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For more than five decades, CVFD has served as a pillar of public safety for residents in unincorporated areas of Southwestern Harris County and Northeastern Fort Bend County, including Alief, Mission Bend, and Cinco Ranch. Formed in 1971 with a single borrowed fire engine and a hand-built station, the department has grown into a full-service agency staffed 24/7 by a combination of career and volunteer personnel.
Today, CVFD responds to more than 12,000 calls annually, providing fire protection, EMS, technical rescue, and hazardous materials response to a population of roughly 150,000, which includes Parkway Lakes. Its Class 1 ISO rating—held by only a small fraction of departments nationwide—speaks to the training, responsiveness, and excellence that define its operations.
But this weekend’s celebration wasn’t about equipment or statistics—it was about people. It was about taking time to recognize the courage, dedication, and quiet acts of service that often go unseen, but never go unnoticed.
As the department closes out another year, the banquet served as a reminder of the heart that fuels the mission. Behind every call, every shift, and every emergency, there are men and women who care deeply about the community they serve.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
