In this episode of "The Ascent," host Sam McGee is joined by Assistant Fire Chief Walter Ball to discuss the recent flooding in Hill Country, Texas, and the heroic response of local first responders. The conversation covers the timeline of the emergency, inter-agency cooperation, personal stories of resilience and community support, and upcoming community events like the Firefighter Games and the "Tug the Truck" fundraiser. The episode highlights the dedication of firefighters, the importance of mental health support, and the strength of the local community in times of crisis.

Timeline & Chapters
0:00 – Introduction
Host disclaimer, show intro, and guest introductions.
0:35 – Co-host Sam McGee checks in from Colorado
Reflections on remote work and recent events.
1:00 – Acknowledgment of Flooding in Hill Country
Expressing thoughts for those affected.
1:17 – Focus of the Episode: First Responders
Setting the stage for the discussion on emergency response.
1:42 – Introducing Assistant Fire Chief Walter Ball
Chief Ball joins the show, shares his background.
2:24 – July 4th Flood Response: Timeline
Chief Ball recounts the days leading up to and during the flood.
Early morning weather monitoring and mutual aid activation.
4:11 – Emergency Operations Center & Swift Water Rescue
Details on the EOC, boat teams, and rescue missions.
5:24 – Scope of the Response
20 river miles covered, multiple agencies involved.
6:14 – Inter-agency Coordination
Collaboration between fire, EMS, police, and emergency management.
7:09 – Positive Stories from the Field
Community support: notes left on responders’ vehicles.
Mental health support offered to first responders.
10:47 – Firefighter Games & Community Events
Chief Ball discusses the Texas Firefighter Games and the possibility of hosting them locally.
Upcoming "Tug the Truck" and police car push event.
13:00 – Community Resilience & Appreciation
Reflections on the community’s response and gratitude for first responders.
15:00 – Closing Remarks
Information on Crestmont Private Wealth and how to get involved in community events.




Original Air Date: August 2, 2025 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

Contact:  www.crestmontpw.com 

Alec Walker in Houston:  831-280-5288 

Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898

 

In this episode of "The Ascent," host Sam McGee is joined by Assistant Fire Chief Walter Ball to discuss the recent flooding in Hill Country, Texas, and the heroic response of local first responders. The conversation covers the timeline of the emergency, inter-agency cooperation, personal stories of resilience and community support, and upcoming community events like the Firefighter Games and the "Tug the Truck" fundraiser. The episode highlights the dedication of firefighters, the importance of mental health support, and the strength of the local community in times of crisis.
Timeline &amp; Chapters
<ul>
<li>0:00 &ndash; Introduction
<ul>
<li>Host disclaimer, show intro, and guest introductions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>0:35 &ndash; Co-host Sam McGee checks in from Colorado
<ul>
<li>Reflections on remote work and recent events.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>1:00 &ndash; Acknowledgment of Flooding in Hill Country
<ul>
<li>Expressing thoughts for those affected.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>1:17 &ndash; Focus of the Episode: First Responders
<ul>
<li>Setting the stage for the discussion on emergency response.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>1:42 &ndash; Introducing Assistant Fire Chief Walter Ball
<ul>
<li>Chief Ball joins the show, shares his background.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>2:24 &ndash; July 4th Flood Response: Timeline
<ul>
<li>Chief Ball recounts the days leading up to and during the flood.</li>
<li>Early morning weather monitoring and mutual aid activation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>4:11 &ndash; Emergency Operations Center &amp; Swift Water Rescue
<ul>
<li>Details on the EOC, boat teams, and rescue missions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>5:24 &ndash; Scope of the Response
<ul>
<li>20 river miles covered, multiple agencies involved.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>6:14 &ndash; Inter-agency Coordination
<ul>
<li>Collaboration between fire, EMS, police, and emergency management.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>7:09 &ndash; Positive Stories from the Field
<ul>
<li>Community support: notes left on responders&rsquo; vehicles.</li>
<li>Mental health support offered to first responders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>10:47 &ndash; Firefighter Games &amp; Community Events
<ul>
<li>Chief Ball discusses the Texas Firefighter Games and the possibility of hosting them locally.</li>
<li>Upcoming "Tug the Truck" and police car push event.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>13:00 &ndash; Community Resilience &amp; Appreciation
<ul>
<li>Reflections on the community&rsquo;s response and gratitude for first responders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>15:00 &ndash; Closing Remarks
<ul>
<li>Information on Crestmont Private Wealth and how to get involved in community events.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li></li>
<li></li>
<li>
Original Air Date: August 2, 2025 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM
Contact:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crestmontpw.com/">www.crestmontpw.com</a>&nbsp;
Alec Walker in Houston:&nbsp; 831-280-5288&nbsp;
Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898
&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>

Host:  Sam McGee, MBA, CFA

Founder/Owner of Crestmont Private Wealth.
604 S. Main St. Boerne TX 78006
(830) 368-2898
www.crestmontpw.com

Host:  Sam McGee, MBA, CFA
Founder/Owner of Crestmont Private Wealth.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.google.com/maps?q=604%20S.%20Main%20St.,%20Boerne,%20TX,%2078006">604 S. Main St. Boerne TX 78006</a></li>
<li><a href="tel:8303682898">(830) 368-2898</a></li>
<li><a href="http://crestmontpw.com/">www.crestmontpw.com</a></li>
</ul>

The Ascent With Crestmont Private Wealth

The Ascent with Crestmont Private Wealth 

Host: Sam McGee

Houston Office: I Riverway, Suite 470 Houston, Texas 77056

(832) 280-5288

Boerne Office: 604 South Main Boerne, Texas 78006

Office (830) 368-2898

About Sam McGee

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER

Sam McGee is the founder and owner of Crestmont Private Wealth. As CEO, he believes that to lead well you must have a servant heart. His day-to-day role with Crestmont is to lead and learn from a group of talented professionals who have high character qualities and initiative. His vision is to steer a mission led company that changes lives through financial stewardship, engagement with clients, and fiduciary style education.

Sam has 26 years in the financial industry and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. The CFA Program is a rigorous three-part exam that tests the fundamentals of investment tools, valuing assets, portfolio management, wealth planning, with an emphasis on ethics and quantitative analysis.

Sam is passionate about volunteering his time to the community. He founded the Texas Hill Country Mustang Club (501c7), is a board member for Hill Country Family Services, was appointed by the Texas Governor to the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists, is a volunteer firefighter with the Boerne Fire Department, a trained SkyWarn Weather Spotter, and a Boerne Little League head coach, and involved with many charitable causes.

When asked what is most important to him, he said “Faith, Family, Community, & Friendships”

The Ascent with Crestmont Private Wealth 
Host: Sam McGee
Houston Office: I Riverway, Suite 470 Houston, Texas 77056
(832) 280-5288
Boerne Office: 604 South Main Boerne, Texas 78006
Office (830) 368-2898
About Sam McGee
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER &amp; CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER
Sam McGee is the founder and owner of Crestmont Private Wealth. As CEO, he believes that to lead well you must have a servant heart. His day-to-day role with Crestmont is to lead and learn from a group of talented professionals who have high character qualities and initiative. His vision is to steer a mission led company that changes lives through financial stewardship, engagement with clients, and fiduciary style education.
Sam has 26 years in the financial industry and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. The CFA Program is a rigorous three-part exam that tests the fundamentals of investment tools, valuing assets, portfolio management, wealth planning, with an emphasis on ethics and quantitative analysis.
Sam is passionate about volunteering his time to the community. He founded the Texas Hill Country Mustang Club (501c7), is a board member for Hill Country Family Services, was appointed by the Texas Governor to the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists, is a volunteer firefighter with the Boerne Fire Department, a trained SkyWarn Weather Spotter, and a Boerne Little League head coach, and involved with many charitable causes.
When asked what is most important to him, he said “Faith, Family, Community, &amp; Friendships”

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