Staff Writer
More people than ever came to celebrate at Pilot Point’s annual Fire Department Awards Banquet on Saturday.
With over 15 new recruits, the fire department welcomed a range of new staff, including firefighters, captains and engineers, now with twice as many staff members as last year, Fire Chief Heath Hudson said.
“I look across this room and see more than just colleagues,” Hudson said. “I see a family that has stepped up in ways we never thought possible just 12 short months ago.”
Several awards and accolades were presented at the banquet as firefighters were recognized for their hard work and dedication over 2025-26, including promotions for veteran staff, special recognition and other honors.
Four individuals were recognized for their more than 10 years of service, including Hudson, who has served for 15 years.
He was introduced to the stage with a speech by Assistant Chief Bryan Cox.
“Many, many years ago, we went through a lot of fire chiefs—revolving door of the organization,” Cox said.
He shared a story about how he was reintroduced to Hudson over 15 years ago when searching for a new fire chief.
He was someone Cox had met before but was not very familiar with.
“When he came in, I was hesitant about another Denton firefighter coming into the organization because we'd gone down that path before,” Cox said. “But in the last 15 years, you couldn't ask for a better mentor and partner, and we have a very similar vision, and we run on the same line. And in the last 15 years, it's been a pleasure to work with this gentleman.”
As Hudson walked to the podium, he was met with a standing ovation.
Hudson reflected on his journey. “I started my career here as a volun- teer in 1989, and Pilot Point trained me for all my certifications before I left and went to work for Denton, and then to be able to come back and the role that I'm in, and ultimately, I'm going to finish my career in the fire service in my hometown where I've spent my entire life in a department from the city that laid the groundwork for me, it's just a true honor,” Hudson said.
Firefighter/Paramedic Vince Tansini was another firefighter recognized for hitting 10 years of service and receiving several awards throughout the night.
He expressed what it meant to him to be acknowledged for his work by his fellow firefighters.
“It's a blessing,” Tansini said. “This is what you live for. You work for these guys, and it's great to see a great group of guys, but none of this is possible without great city leadership, a council that supports us, a mayor, and then, of course, our chiefs, our Chief Hudson and Chief Cox. They give us everything we need to do our jobs.”
Tansini added that it’s the residents of Pilot Point who keep him motivated year after year.
Tanner Calvert, the previous Rookie of the Year, received Firefighter of the Year on Saturday.
The new Rookie of the Year, Royce Anderson, also received Paramedic of the Year.
Cox described how rare it is for someone to receive both awards at one banquet.
“He does outstanding things,” Cox said about Anderson. “He was a little quiet in the beginning. We weren't really sure what we were going to do with him, but he has really come along in the last few months and exceeded expectations. And we expect great things from this individual.”
Cool and calm, Anderson later shared he was surprised to hear his named called for those awards but expressed his appreciation for his coworkers.
“The brotherhood with the crew that we have here that I get to work with, the support that I receive every day at launch, it's amazing,” Anderson said. “There's no other job like it.”
To conclude the banquet, Hudson thanked everyone working behind the scenes to support the fire department station, the firefighters' families, and the staff for their dedication and efforts.
“The awards we presented tonight recognize individual acts of heroism and years of dedicated service,” Hudson said. “But as I look around this room, I see more than just award recipients. I see the heart and soul of this department.”
As the night ended, firefighters like Anderson said goodbye to loved ones and friends before returning to the station to begin their shift, continuing to serve the community by doing what they love.
