In a display of community unity, organizations came together to support the everyday heroes of North Dallas, donating essential items to improve their quality of life between calls. The dedicated professionals of Fire Station #20 embody what it truly means to serve and to sacrifice as they protect their local neighborhoods of North Dallas day in and day out. The collective effort to honor the heroes of Fire Station #20 was not just about giving back—it was about recognizing, appreciating, and serving those who serve communities of North Dallas every day.

The 20s of North Dallas: A Family of Heroes

Dallas Fire Rescue (DFR) Station #20, located just off LBJ Freeway and the Dallas North Tollway, has been a vital part of the North Dallas community for nearly four decades. Today, the station is home to a crew of 36 firefighters which operate in 10-man teams, known as the 20s of North Dallas. In rotating shifts, 24 hours on and 48 hours off, the 20s respond to an average of 12-15 calls per day—some days more than 20. The 20s spend their days cycling between furies of pause, preparation, and wild action, rushing to and from car accidents, medical assistance, and structure fires.

But behind the sirens and the uniforms, the 20s operate with a camaraderie and cooperation that can only be compared to a family. “My driver is my best friend, and my two men on the truck are like brothers,” said one firefighter, describing the bonds they carry to each call. Despite their differences in backgrounds, personalities, experiences, or even between teams, the 20s are united by their commitment to protecting their community, and honoring DFR’s core values of Accountability, Integrity, Loyalty, Pride, and Respect.

The Station: A Space for a Shared Mission

This strong sense of mutual trust and respect, and a commitment to a principle greater than oneself, are the foundation of the 20s’ work and success. When the 20s are between calls, their time is spent refueling, recuperating, resetting, and preparing not only their equipment and gear, but also themselves and each other, tending to their team’s mental and physical needs as they recover from their daily arduous work.

The physical structure of station #20 serves as a refuge—as a space for the 20s to rest and recover from the physical demands of their work—but it also serves as a place of gathering and teambuilding, where the 20s support one another, maintaining their friendships and brotherhood necessary to ensure each other’s safety when the next alarm comes across the station alarms.

As one firefighter shared, “It goes without saying, but the quality of our rest and recovery between calls always has an effect on the way we show up to the next call.” A comfortable environment that serves such complex purposes for the 20s is not just a luxury—it is essential for their well-being and effectiveness. This environment directly influences their performance and the quality of service they provide to the community.

TRB Finds a Neighbor and Meets a Need

Station #20 is one block south of Texas Regional Bank (TRB) on LBJ. On a hot Friday in early August, TRB employees took lunch to the station as a small gesture recognizing the effort and service they witness each day as the 20s come and go from urgent calls.

The paradox settled in quickly. From the perspective of their neighbors, the sacrificial effort the 20s invested in their local community severely outsized the space they returned to after each call. After a few more lunches, the team at TRB collaborated with the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce to lead an initiative that would enhance the station’s physical space, hoping they could make an impact on the 20s quality of life between sirens.

TRB and the North Dallas Chamber joined together local community partners, Dwell with Dignity, The Dickey Foundation, Lowe’s Companies, Inc., and Land of Oz Beef, and delivered to station #20 new mattresses, dining room chairs, patio furniture, box fans, a swamp cooler, a state-of-the-art grill, and enough meat to fill the freezer. Then, the community of neighbors got to work updating the station.

The North Dallas Chamber of Commerce played a crucial role in bringing everyone together, while Dwell with Dignity’s expertise in creating comfortable and functional spaces ensured that every detail was thoughtfully executed. Donations from the Dickey Foundation and appliance deliveries from Lowe’s provided key resources that further transformed the station into a more functional and enjoyable space for the 20s.

These donations and gifts are tangible demonstrations of the community’s appreciation and support for the firefighters who dedicate their lives to safeguarding others. These improvements are not just about comfort; they are about ensuring that these everyday heroes have the support they need to continue performing their duties with excellence.

A Legacy of Service and Community

There’s a reason service is in TRB’s mission statement. The success of the bank is directly tied to the success of the communities it serves, but the Firehouse #20 service initiative carries even more significance because of its compounded future impact. Kathy Boop, Vice President of Business Development at TRB, shared that, “When we met the guys at the station and shared our first lunch, we knew we wanted to honor them in whatever way we could, and it felt heightened and important, because serving those who serve day in and day out, really has a profound and lasting effect on our community.”

Fire Station #20 stands as a beacon of service and dedication in North Dallas, and this project has only strengthened the bond between the station and the community it serves. The collective effort of TRB’s community partners has not only improved station #20 and the living conditions of the 20s who call it home, but it also demonstrated the power of a community uniting in support of those who serve.

“We hope that as the 20s continue to respond to calls around the clock, they do so with a renewed sense of pride, knowing that they are supported by the community they protect,” added Boop. This partnership in North Dallas is a powerful reminder of the importance of giving back and investing in the people who dedicate their lives to making our communities safer places to live.

About Dwell with Dignity

For the last 15 years, Dwell with Dignity has been helping “families and communities escape poverty, homelessness, and social injustice through design.” As a referral service with local partners around the DFW metroplex, the nonprofit provides families in need with complete home interiors, like furniture, art, bedding, linens, kitchen supplies, food in the pantry, and their first night’s meal, etc. In addition to working with families, Dwell with Dignity completes community service projects to enhance work and living conditions for service workers and local organizations. In recent years, they have completed projects for local school districts and colleges, Dallas County Juvenile Department Youth Village, Dallas Hope Charities, Dallas Homeless Alliance, and a 911 call center in Dallas.

For more information about Dwell with Dignity, visit https://www.dwellwithdignity.org/.

About The Dickey Foundation

Founded in 2015, the Dickey Foundation maintains its mission to protect and support first responders and has worked with franchisees across North Texas and the nation, providing more than $250,000 in grants since its inception. The foundation serves first responders by providing financial resources, safety equipment like protective armor, firefighting gear, rescue equipment, and overall support for local first responders.

“The Dickey Foundation was created to support the brave men and women who risk their lives every day to ensure their communities safety”, says Maurine Dickey, Founder of The Dickeys Foundation. “Our goal is to continuously give first responders and their families the necessary support to ensure their safety and success in the communities they serve.”

For more information about The Dickey Foundation, visit https://www.thedickeyfoundation.org/.

About Texas Regional Bank

Established in 2010 and based out of Harlingen, Texas, TRB is a privately owned, full-service, financial institution founded to bring to market a locally owned bank that serves surrounding communities through relationships not transactions. TRB is proud to offer an unparalleled customer experience while providing exceptional financial products, including core banking, trust and wealth management, capital markets, mortgage, international banking, insurance, foreign exchange, and economic development services. Texas Regional Bank holds assets of approximately $2.67 billion as of December 31, 2023, with over 30 banking centers across the Rio Grande Valley, Texas Hill Country, Houston, and DFW Metroplex.

For more information about Texas Regional Bank, visit www.trb.bank.