“Words cannot fully express how sad we are to lose our friend, said Mayor Stephen DonCarlos. “Bernard was a good …man who loved serving his hometown. Our prayers go out to his family, the Baytown Fire Department and our city family. He will be deeply missed.”

Fire Chief Kenneth Dobson reiterated the Mayor’s words, adding “our Fire Department family is saddened by this tremendous loss. Bernard’s dedication to the Fire Department and to Baytown is an inspiration to all of us.”

Olive began his career with the City of Baytown in 1969 as part of the City’s Public Works Department, after graduating from Robert E Lee High School.

He left the City briefly to serve as a medic with the US Army’s 565th Medical Ambulance Company stationed in both the United States and Germany. His military service also included time spent with both the Army Reserves and Coast Guard Reserves.

In 1973, his true life’s calling began when he transferred to the Fire Department, working his way through the ranks to become Assistant Fire Chief, Fire Marshal and Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator.

Olive’s life of service and leadership led him to share his knowledge with not only Baytown’s firefighters, but firefighters around the world who attended the Texas A&M Municipal Fire School, where he was a guest instructor for 37 years.

“Bernard put the “B” in “Baytown” is a saying commonly expressed by Baytown fire-fighters; a tribute to the man whose 48 year career made him the de facto historical custodian of all things Baytown related. “His knowledge of local history made him the go-to guy for anyone looking for information about the city,” said Public Affairs Coordinator Patti Jett. “He could always tell you who did what, why and when. His memory for events and people was amazing.”

His face was familiar to young and old alike as the parade driver of the City’s historic 1947 fire engine – a vehicle whose restoration and maintenance he lovingly oversaw.

Assistant Chief Olive is survived by his beloved wife, Kathy, his daughter Martha and son-in-law Tim and his granddaughter Kathryn.

Funeral arrangements are pending. See More

Baytown fire chief calls death of assistant fire chief ‘tremendous loss’

 By Megan Kennedy – Content Editor

 

1

Baytown Fire Department

BAYTOWN, Texas – The Baytown community is mourning the loss of its assistant fire chief, Bernard Olive.

His death was announced Friday by the Baytown Fire Department on Facebook. The post said Olive died Thursday while on duty.

• teve Dorris with the Baytown Police Department said Olive died from a “cardiac event” while sitting inside his city vehicle.

“Words cannot fully express how sad we are to lose our friend,” said Mayor Stephen DonCarlos. “Bernard was a good man who loved serving his hometown. Our prayers go out to his family, the Baytown Fire Department and our city family. He will be deeply missed.”