During the past two weeks city of Katy officials have begun the process of identifying a potential site for a second Katy Fire Department station, the first step in making the station's concept a reality. The city owns land off Kingsland Boulevard near Pin Oak—about eight acres—where it is considering building a station to accommodate for three to four fire engines and multiple full-time crew members.

"Once we build this we are going to be able to easily maintain our Insurance Service Office rating of 2," City councilman Chuck Brawner said.

A ISO consultant recommended building the second station to better serve residents and businesses in south Katy, Brawner said. Development growth in west Katy would also eventually call for a second station. The department's current station will remain at 1417 Ave. D.

Brawner said the city's next step is to evaluate the site with an architect and the city engineer, and at the Aug. 12 meeting the county will approve purchasing a new fire engine. The amount of funds required for the second station will be determined when the city votes on the 2013-14 budget this fall.

"We have not hired anyone yet, and this is all very preliminary," he said. "We hope to have this finished in a year."