New fire station dedicated to Chief Phillips
The Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department dedicated its new station to the memory of Fire Chief Michael Phillips, who lost his life in the line of duty while responding to the Fourth of July weekend flood events of 2025. Photo by Jonathan Leflet
Nearly one year ago, Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Phillips was lost in the line of duty while responding to the devastating flash floods that swept through Central Texas during the 2025 Fourth of July holiday weekend. A new fire station was dedicated to Phillips on Saturday, June 27, and the community turned out in force to honor his memory.
The station dedication was led by current Marble Falls Area VFD Chief Derrick Curtis.
“I dedicate this station in (Phillips’) memory to make sure that his name and legacy remains a part of our department’s future and that every call answered from this station, every firefighter trained here, everyone helped, and every life protected will help carry forward that memory,” Curtis said to those gathered for the ceremony.
Organizers estimated that 150-200 people turned out for the event, which had been planned months in advance. When the station was still under construction in 2025, the Marble Falls Area VFD announced that Station No. 2 would be dedicated in memoriam to Phillips.
“His dedication, service, and character has made a lasting impact, whether through his commitment to the fire service, his love for this community, or the example he set for others, Chief Phillips represented the values we hope this station will stand for: courage, service, sacrifice, and compassion,” Curtis said.
The new fire station, located at 6423 CR 120 north of Marble Falls, will serve as the second base of operations for the Marble Falls Area VFD, providing a storage space for emergency vehicles and a staging area for firefighters battling blazes surrounding Marble Falls.
“We were thankful for everyone who came out,” Curtis told DailyTrib. “It is a chapter of healing for the department. We have our memories, but now because of this station, his name will be here for future generations.”
Phillips
“Mike was the type of guy who was a mentor or father figure to everyone,” Curtis said. “He just touched people’s lives in so many different ways. He was just a great human being to be around. He would give you the shirt off of his back or anything in his power to help you.”
Phillips was reportedly swept away by flood waters in the early morning hours of July 5 while responding to a distress call east of Marble Falls. It is believed that he and his vehicle were washed downstream when he attempted to cross turbulent waters on Cow Creek. His vehicle was found, but his body was not.
Despite extensive search operations, Phillips’ remains were never recovered.
Following his disappearance, Phillips was repeatedly honored by the Highland Lakes community. A moment of silence was held during the Marble Falls Rodeo, a park was named after the chief in a Cow Creek-area neighborhood, flags were lowered at government offices across Burnet County in his honor, and hundreds attended his memorial service at Marble Falls High School on July 29, 2025.
Since the flood, Phillips has also been honored at the state and national levels. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor from the Texas Fire Chiefs Association, inducted into the Texas Emergency Services Hall of Honor, and had his name included on the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Maryland.
Phillips served with the Marble Falls Area VFD for about 30 years and worked for the Marble Falls Independent School District for over 20 years.
A recording from a 2012 interview with Phillips was played during his memorial service. A transcribed excerpt from that recording reads:
“Some people have money, some people have patience, some people have a lot of gifts, but my gift is that I like to work hard, and if something in that work can help somebody else pull through the worst day of their life, that is the reward I get out of that.”