03/25/2022
Well looks who is featured on Austin Fire Department’s page…. My mom! 😍
Fire stations aren’t just buildings strategically located on plots of land across the city. And the crews at those stations don’t just respond to calls in the communities where they’re located; they become part of those communities, and are neighbors right alongside the folks who live there. And if they’re REALLY lucky, like our members at Station 25, they’ll meet someone like Bertha.
But we’ll let her daughter, Carolyn (who also sent us this great photo), tell you more…
“I am writing to brag on the firefighters from Station #25 and express my gratitude for the impact they have in our community and in my family. I’d like to share some history between this fire station and my family, specifically my mom, which dates back to the 1980s.
“My family has lived in our house since 1978. My mom, Bertha, was quick to adopt the crew at our neighborhood fire station back in the 1980s when it was first built. She would become a routine visitor, bringing baked goods and sodas with a good salty dose of her ‘nursing room humor’, as she would call it. In 2001, the station named my mom ‘Fire House Mother’ and honored her with an official plaque. I have no doubt that my mom’s love for baking and weekly delivery of goodies swayed the vote!
“In 2014, the Station #25 firefighters and EMS showed up when a 911 call was placed to transport my dad to the hospital, where he passed away shortly thereafter. After his death, the firefighters would occasionally stop by to check on my mom and keep up her spirits. I received more than a few phone calls from concerned neighbors stating there was a fire truck at our house and wondering if my mom was ok. Absolutely, she was just getting a visit from some caring friends!
“My mom turned 87 this year and no longer drives. She’s misses her regular visits to the station as she is now reliant on others to drive her, which doesn’t happen nearly enough. Her birthday was in February and once again, the crew from Station #25 showed up at our home to celebrate her birthday with cake in hand! My mom was away at the time but in March, she was able to visit and thank them in person.
“The crew has changed personnel over the years but our Fire Station #25 has remained an important connection for my mom, our family, and our entire community (including Davis Elementary School which is directly next door). I’m so grateful for all of them! We look forward to their return into the newly remodeled station as soon it is possible! With sincere appreciation, Carolyn (on behalf of Bertha and all her family).”
On behalf of the entire crew at Station 25—as well as all of us at the Austin Fire Department—happy belated birthday to “Mother Bertha”! Thank you for taking such great care of our folks at that station through the years, and for the privilege of serving you and your family in both celebratory and difficult times.
