Hutto Fire Rescue among first in state to receive Texas Fire Chiefs Association award.[/caption]

Hutto Fire Rescue, the Williamson County emergency services district that serves the Hutto area, was named a "Recognized Best Practices Fire Department" by the Texas Fire Chiefs Association on Sept. 2, HFR announced.

HFR is the first emergency services district and third fire department in the state to receive the designation, Fire Chief Scott Kerwood said.

The Texas Fire Chief's Best Practices program is a voluntary process that evaluates all aspects of fire department management, including administration, emergency medical services, fire protection and community outreach, according to an HFR statement.

"This is more than just a fire department award, it's a community award," Kerwood said. "It took partnerships for us to be able to do this. It took relationships with the city of Hutto, the Hutto Independent School District and the various water districts. We were just the channel it all goes through."

Kerwood said HFR's award could be used as an economic development tool to draw new businesses and residents to the city.

In May, HFR will be recognized at the at the Texas Fire Chiefs Association's Executive Conference in Galveston.