Cooperation is a big factor in serving local residents
The boom is on and Katy, like most of the Greater Houston area, is growing rapidly, often leaving fire and emergency responders working to keep up with the pace.
The greater Katy area served by the Katy ISD grew 83 percent from 2000 to 2010. The current population is estimated at 269,000. The population growth is expected to accelerate due to the reputation of the school district and the current energy boom and Katy's connection to the Energy Corridor. Through it all, area fire and emergency medical services departments are rising to the challenge of keeping their communities covered when emergencies arise.
"We are well funded by the [emergency service district] to who we provide service," said Steve Fowler, chief of Community Fire Department, located on the southeast side of greater Katy. "Honestly we are exceptionally well equipped with the tools of our trade both in the area of suppression/rescue as well as emergency medical services."
Community Fire Department is one of seven fire/EMS departments serving the Katy area. Others include the West I-10, Westlake, Willowfork, Fulshear-Simonton, Cy-Fair, and City of Katy fire/EMS departments. Eight ESDs govern the departments as the taxing entities that provide the funding through property taxes, much like a municipal utility district.
The City of Katy's fire and EMS department operates with a $2.6 million budget that is funded by the city. Katy Assistant Chief Kenneth Redding said rapid growth is stretching the department's resources, especially manpower.
"We're not 100 percent staffed on every piece of apparatus that we have," he said.
He said some creative scheduling, volunteers and mutual aid agreements assures that Katy residents are adequately covered with fire and EMS protection.
Planning ahead
According to the Katy Area Economic Development Council, the Katy area is projected to grow by 50,000 people by 2016. Local departments are preparing to keep up with the growth. Capt. Maria Galvez of the Katy Fire and EMS Department said the department would like to have a second station, but has more immediate needs.
"Acquiring new apparatus and adding needed staff is currently under discussion at this time," she said.
The Fulshear-Simonton Fire Department is currently building a fourth station, this one on FM 1463 in Firethorne.
"In 2013 we will place a new 2012 Pierce foam truck in Station 3" Fowler said. "No additional day crew personnel are anticipated, yet we constantly evaluate call demand to assure we are properly staffed."
Westlake Fire Department is adding an engine and preparing to move.
"We hope our new station that is replacing our current station will be done November of 2013," Westlake Fire Chief Mark Palmer said.
