Amy Ramon, Fire Chief with the Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department, was the guest speaker at this month's Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce luncheon, where she discussed the variety of services CFVFD provides along with future plans. Ramon said the district's coverage area has grown over the years and is likely to continue to grow moving forward. "We cover about 164 square miles, we serve a population of over 440,000," she said. "So, to put that in perspective for you, that's the size of New Orleans." The expansion of CFVFD into the western Cy-Fair area—including the opening of Station 13, slated to open in the Bridgeland master-planned community by June—was also discussed. More fire stations will potentially be opened in that area in the future, Ramon said. Ramon also said CFVFD responds to more than just fire emergencies, noting the department has ambulances on standby 24/7 and an emergency medical services staff. The department's return of spontaneous circulation rate—a measurement tracked in relation to heart attacks and strokes—is 12 percent higher than the national average, she said. "Last year we ran a little over 27,000 calls," she said. "21,000 of those are EMS calls. 6,000 are [fire] suppression—and that's anything from a house fire, a business fire, fire alarms, gas leaks or just a citizen assist, which means picking somebody up off the floor that can't get up on their own." Before taking over as fire chief for CFVFD four years ago, Ramon's previously served as a fire and EMS lieutenant, paramedic, fire fighter and dispatcher. Ramon said volunteers for the station are always welcome at any experience level for fire or EMS services. Volunteers make up nearly half of the CFVFD staff, totaling approximately 600, she said. The fire department has its own training academy and can teach anyone to be in any role, she said. "Your neighbors, your friends, your family that live in this community, are the ones that are helping," Ramon said. "The crew responding to you at night are mostly volunteers."