Chester L. Herman was also instrumental in the formation of the Phillips Volunteer Fire Department, Chesterfield County Company #13, which opened it's doors on May 15, 1976 and served as the Company's first Assistant District Fire Chief for the next 8 years and is still active there as a volunteer firefighter, currently serving as the training officer. In 1978 he purchased their first antique fire engine and have continued to add more to the fleet over the years. His private fire museum now boast about a dozen rigs and many displays of historical fire department memorabilia. Tom has also written a number of Historically Speaking articles about fire apparatus in Virginia for The Virginia Fire Service News magazine.