Pflugerville on Fire

Send us Fan Mail What happens when three lifelong Pflugerville residents with over two centuries of combined local knowledge gather in a historic Sears kit home to share stories? Pure magic. In this special heritage edition of Pflugerville on Fire, I sit down with Vernagene Mott, Glenn Schiller, and David Gabert at the beautifully preserved Heritage House Museum. Together, they recall stories of P...

Send us Fan Mail We kick off season two with the exciting launch of the Pflugerville Firefighters Foundation, a nonprofit created to make our community safer, support firefighters during hardship, and fund scholarships for firefighters' children. • Partnering with Kati Coffee, a specialty roaster owned by scientists David McConville and Miriam Diop who donate 14% of sales from our custom blen...

Send us Fan Mail Pflugerville is growing, changing and facing real challenges. In season 2 of Pflugerville on Fire, we go beyond the ballot box and out into the community. This season will be packed with insights into where we live. We will explore our history, common connection and what makes us strong.  This isn't just a podcast. It's a call to action.  Thanks for your support! 

Send us Fan Mail On July 20, 1971, a devastating fire swept through downtown Pflugerville, forever changing the trajectory of the Pflugerville Volunteer Fire Department. Retired Chief Ron Moellenberg joins us to recount his firsthand experience of that historic night—how he jumped in to help before ever considering firefighting as a career. With an inadequate water supply and a single tanker, loca...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine facing the possibility of losing vital community services, only to witness an extraordinary display of unity that turns the tide. That's exactly what happened in Pflugerville, where the community came together to defeat Proposition A and safeguard the future of their beloved fire department. Join us as we recount the incredible journey. This episode is a testament to...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the compelling journey of service and governance with April Griffin, Vice President of the ESD2 Board of Commissioners. April, who has a rich background in the Air Force and as an attorney for the State of Texas, shares the motivations that catapulted her into community service in Pflugerville. Uncover the intricate challenges the board faced, particularly with the implem...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets behind how fire department ratings influence your property insurance rates with insights from Paul Guerrero, our seasoned insurance expert with deep roots in the Austin area. Join us as Paul demystifies the crucial role of Public Protection Class (PPC) ratings, revealing how these scores directly impact your insurance premiums. Discover the financial implication...

Send us Fan Mail County Commissioner Jeff Travillion of Travis County, Precinct 1, joins us to share his inspiring journey from Mississippi to becoming a dedicated public servant in Texas. With an educational background spanning Jackson State University, Carnegie Mellon, and Harvard, Jeff offers us a glimpse into how his experiences fueled his passion for equity and community development. His stor...

Send us Fan Mail What if the future of your city was in your hands? Mayor Victor Gonzales of Pflugerville joins us for a compelling discussion on the city's rapid development, offering an inside look at the innovative strategies shaping its growth. From contracting with ESD2 for essential ambulance and ALS services to reflecting on his nearly two decades of public service, Mayor Gonzales shar...

Send us Fan Mail Who should control the operations of the Emergency Services District—city council or a county-appointed ESD board? Join us as we tackle this pressing question with 30-time Emmy Award winning investigative journalist, Wayne Dolcefino. In this episode we examine the potential fallout from defunding ESD 2, particularly its impact on labor and the equipment essential for public safety...

Send us Fan Mail How can Emergency Services Districts (ESDs) revolutionize public safety and economic development in growing communities? Join us on Pflugerville on Fire as we explore this vital question with Dr. Ray Perryman, an acclaimed economist. Discover the groundbreaking findings from the Perryman Group's study, which reveals that ESDs, like Travis County ESD 2, offer a remarkably cost...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets behind the surging expenses of the Travis County ESD2, better known as the Pflugerville Fire Department, with our finance director, Jessica Frazier. This episode promises to demystify the financial complexities, revealing why ceasing ambulance services and reallocation of resources have led to significant operational changes. Jessica, with her wealth of experien...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the complexities of local governance and the financial intricacies that shape our emergency services in Pflugerville. Join us as we sit down with tech sales engineer and community advocate Anthony Nguyen. Anthony sheds light on the controversial issue of abolishing sales tax revenue for the fire department and explains the complicated two-step process required by state la...

Send us Fan Mail Join us on "Pflugerville on Fire" for an eye-opening conversation with Cody Smith, a dedicated firefighter paramedic who has been bravely serving the Pflugerville community since 2022. Cody opens up about the emotional and intense experiences that first responders face daily, and how these moments solidified his calling in EMS. You'll gain a deeper understanding of...

Send us Fan Mail How would you feel if your community’s fire department lost 40% of its funding overnight? On this episode of Pflugerville on Fire, we sit down with Chief Nick Perkins to discuss the dire consequences of abolishing the sales tax revenue that sustains the Pflugerville Fire Department. Chief Perkins shares his candid thoughts on how laying off 133 firefighters and closing multiple fi...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a small volunteer fire department can transform into a thriving Emergency Services District? Join us as we sit down with former Fire Chief Ron Moellenberg, who has been a cornerstone of the Pflugerville Fire Department since 1977. From the earnest beginnings of bake sales and street dances to the landmark formation of the Rural Fire Prevention District in 1985, C...

Send us Fan Mail