The Round Rock Fire Foundation wasn’t created in a boardroom. It was created around a kitchen table—built from grief, gratitude, and the kind of love only a fire family understands.

Wylie’s Story

Assistant Chief Wylie Brownell’s dedication to the Round Rock Fire Foundation is deeply personal. As a firefighter, he’s always understood the meaning of brotherhood and service. But as a husband and father, he came to understand what true support looks like—when his own department became the village that carried his family through heartbreak.

When the Fire Family Became Our Family

“I’m Wylie Brownell, married to my incredible wife, Diedra, who is my partner in every sense of the word—especially when it comes to supporting firefighter families through the Round Rock Fire Foundation. Together, we have two daughters: Tyra, who is 29 and thriving in Chicago, and Bailey, who lived 23 bold, fearless years before passing away from a rare disease. Bailey’s life, her spirit, and her passion for living each day to the fullest are at the heart of everything we do. She is the reason supporting others is so meaningful to me.”

“I’ve had the privilege of serving with the Round Rock Fire Department since 2005, and today, I’m honored to serve as one of the department’s Assistant Chiefs. Over the years, I’ve witnessed countless acts of selflessness from our firefighters—moments when they’ve dropped everything to support another firefighter or their family in a time of need. It’s this incredible culture of support that inspired me to help create the Round Rock Fire Foundation. I want to ensure that every firefighter and their family has access to that same care and compassion when it’s needed most.”

That culture of care came full circle for Wylie in 2016, when Bailey was accepted to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. At the same time, the Brownells were grieving the loss of a beloved family member out of state, and Bailey was too sick to travel for the services. Fellow firefighters didn’t hesitate—they brought meals, checked on Bailey daily, cooked dinner, cleaned the house, and most importantly, covered Wylie’s shifts so he could focus on his family.

When the Brownells traveled to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, for nearly a month, the department stepped in again. Firefighters voluntarily worked Wylie’s 24-hour shifts, donating their time so he wouldn’t have to miss a paycheck. That kind of selflessness left a permanent mark.

When Bailey passed away on July 5, 2019, the department showed up once more—immediately and in full force. Dozens of firefighters, many who had never met Bailey, came to the family’s side. They filled the house, stayed for weeks, managed meals and funeral arrangements, and made sure the Brownells never had to navigate their grief alone.

Why We Had to Do Something

It was in those quiet, devastating moments that Wylie realized just how vital a strong, family-centered fire culture is—not only during emergencies, but in the hardest, most personal moments of life. That realization became the driving force behind his commitment to the Foundation’s mission.