Alumni of Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Rescue

09/12/2025

Congratulations DE Caldwell!

Please join in congratulating Jordan Caldwell on his promotion to Driver Engineer! 👏🚒

Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence have paid off. We know you’ll do an incredible job in your new role!

Here's to your D/E promotion and reaching new heights at HCFR. Congratulations, Driver Engineer Caldwell!

05/20/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BKDdVbqnR/?mibextid=wwXIfr

In Memoriam: Captain Jeffrey “Chowder” Brown

With profound sadness, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue announces the passing of one of our own—Captain Jeffrey Brown, lovingly known as “Chowder.”

Captain Brown served our community with honor and dedication for over 34 years. He was more than a leader; he was a mentor, a friend, and a true pillar of our fire rescue family. His impact stretched far beyond the firehouse, touching countless lives throughout his career.

Chowder's loss is deeply felt across our department. His legacy lives on through the people he inspired and through his son, Firefighter Luke Brown, who proudly joined HCFR last year.

Please keep the Brown family in your thoughts during this difficult time. We will continue to support them with the same strength and unity that Captain Brown always showed us. We honor his life, his service, and his memory—with Duty, Honor, and Courage.

02/27/2024

It’s always cool to hear about one of our own! Carl’s amazing wife Toni, nominated him and he was featured on WQYK’s First Responder Friday. Congrats!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/tBvmXdohw2HgxNQA/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Thank you, Carl for your 16 years as a firefighter!

Nominate a first responder here: https://995qyk.com/contests/first-responder-friday-3/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_99.5_QYK

02/13/2024

https://facebook.com/events/s/chief-bradley-j-price-celebrat/236439359529198/

07/23/2023

She is now a reserve engine for the county.

02/26/2022

Mark Curts, longtime chief of Volunteer station 23, who also filled in at 27 for a period of time, has passed away. His funeral will be this coming Tuesday, with visitation between 2-3pm at Hopewell funeral home. Address: 6005 S County Rd 39, Plant City, FL 33567.

08/05/2021

01/14/2021

If you’re career county you may have already received this via email regarding Van’s services.

A memorial has been scheduled for Friday January 15, 2021 from 2-5PM (with a service starting at 4PM) at Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories located at 4207 E Lake Ave, Tampa Florida.

I’ve not been involved in the planning, so I was unsure what’s been communicated. A Facebook live I’m understanding will be done too through the funeral home for those not wanting to personally attend due to COVID.

If you have further questions I’ll try to answer the best I can. You’re welcome to private message me on my personal page.

Thank you to those who’ve reached out to me checking on Ally and myself. I’m finding out many rumors have been spread that were extreme and completely false. Therefore, knowing many of my previous fire family still cared makes myself and Ally feel very blessed. Thank you all. -Kim

01/10/2021

Hi everyone not sure how many of the members still follow this page. I wanted to info everyone that knew previous Chief Van Tisdale unfortunately unexpectedly passed away Saturday afternoon. Although we’ve been divorced now for a few years, he still was the father to our daughter, Ally. His fiancé is making arrangements therefore I will update when I know of any plans. I just ask for everyone to keep Ally in their thoughts and prayers as this is only starting to become real for her. Thank you and god bless -Kim Shields.

02/17/2020

I’m unsure how many times f the 27 guys knew Ms. Tammy but she was like our station mom at 23. She will be dearly missed. ❤️

01/23/2020

Loss of a great man last week. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, along with all of the HCFR community.

Celebrate the life of Robert "Bob" VanEtten, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home.