Maxwell VFD honors Childress with first-ever award

Maxwell VFD

The Maxwell Community Volunteer Fire Department on Oct. 1 presented Assistant Chief David Childress with its first-ever “Maxwell Flame Award.”

Assistant Chief Childress has been a volunteer with Maxwell Fire for more than 16 years. He joined in 2008 after making a promise to the late Ronnie Duesterheft that he would join when he retired from teaching. Childress stated the reason to wait for retirement was because he wanted to make sure he had plenty of time to dedicate to serving his community. After 27 years of shaping young minds as a teacher, he retired and kept his promise to Duesterheft by immediately joining the fire department. Since then, Childress has spent an immeasurable number of hours serving Caldwell County. 

When the Maxwell Flame Awardwas created, it was meant to honor someone that fully embodies all the great qualities a firefighter or public servant should have. If you have had the pleasure to meet Childress, you know he has a heart the size of Texas and is one of the kindest, most genuine people you will ever meet.

“I personally couldn’t think of another person more deserving to receive this award,” said Samantha Lucas of the Maxwell VFD. “The flame often symbolizes wisdom and knowledge and for David, that rings to be true. He has become a mentor to many in the fire service that look up to him. When our station went through dark times, he was there leading the way like a flickering candle in the darkness. He gave us light, and that light helped to guide us through to the other side.”

ESD 2 President Tony Collins added, “David is an excellent leader because he has the desire to serve others.”

Collins believes Childress was able to faithfully serve all these years because he has a wonderful wife who has supported him through it all and they make a strong team together.

“I say, if David is the flame, that makes Mrs. Jen Childress his fuel,” Lucas said. “You can’t have fire without fuel and Mrs. Jen provides the energy David needs to keep his fire burning. She does this by not only supporting him through 47 years of marriage but as a volunteer for Maxwell Fire, as well. Jen has become a permanent fixture at Maxwell Fire and can often be seen at most community outreach events helping wherever she is needed. Being the spouse of a first responder is not easy. It comes with its own unique challenges and responsibilities. It is rewarding, yet unpredictable. Sometimes your spouse works late or experiences traumatic events, so it really helps to have a partner that understands the job. They are lucky to have each other, and we are lucky to have them.”