Kendall County is approaching a population of 50,000 people, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
With growth comes an increased need for public services such as expanded re departments, Boerne Fire Chief Manny Casarez said.
The Boerne Fire Department and the Bexar County Emergency Services Department No. 4 are working on long-term projects to bring new facilities online in Boerne and Fair Oaks Ranch in an effort to provide responsive services.
While the two departments work to meet regional growth, challenges in staffing, acquiring equipment and constructing facilities have increased department costs and extended completion timelines.
Both departments are working on funding upcoming re stations: ESD 4 is looking at renovating a facility near Fair Oaks Ranch, while also considering a new station off I-10—Station 135.
While the I-10 location is a confirmed site, the station has not been approved for construction, ESD 4 Fire Chief Jack Andrade said.
“What makes me have some angst about it is that the I-10 area is kind of like a guardrail,” Andrade said. “If your fire station is on one side, it’s very difficult to get to the other side.”
A final decision on the construction of Station 135 is planned for early 2026.
Current situation
The Boerne Fire Department is the only full-time department in Kendall County, serving both city and county residents through interlocal agreements.
Casarez said the department tries to have a station meet the needs of a mile and a half radius.
When assessing areas in need, the construction of a second station near the Esperanza development will help serve the eastern side of Boerne.
Casarez said there are plans to construct Station 3 in the area of the Buc-ee’s development, but the design and construction of that re station are still being determined.
“So that’ll get us the three circles that we need to cover the majority of the city limits,” he said. “And then from there, responding out into the county is another challenge, but that’s kind of how we’re planning to try to keep up with the growth.”
Andrade said growth challenges for ESD 4 have included higher equipment costs and increased funding for staffing.
“It used to take 9-15 months to get a new re truck, and now it is taking 2-4 years,” Andrade said. “So, if I build Fire Station 135, that’ll be done within a year to a year and a half, but now I need a fire truck to go inside of it.”
Budget explained
Boerne’s Fire Department has been around since the early 1900s, but it relied on volunteer staff and did not have its first full-time employee until around 2010.
The Boerne Fire Department is funded through the city budget, utilizing resident tax dollars to support public services.
Being part of the city budget, the fire department competes for funding with other departments. The Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget includes $8 million toward the Fire Station 2 project.
Unlike the city department, ESD 4 operates as a taxing entity, establishing a set tax rate for residents within its service area, with the exception of those in Fair Oaks Ranch.
While Fair Oaks Ranch does not pay the ESD tax rate, City Council in September approved a new contract from the city budget that will steadily increase the amount paid to the ESD over the next five years, eventually falling in line with the rate paid by residents.
Put in perspective
Alongside the long lead times for equipment, the cost of fire engines has nearly doubled. Casarez said an engine purchased a few years ago cost $584,000, and the newest truck cost around $1.2 million.
Departments are working to purchase new equipment for the upcoming stations, while also updating current fleets that may be outdated.
Casarez said departments are focusing more on truck maintenance rather than replacing them after the traditional 12-year mark.
Utilizing older trucks helps departments have equipment, rather than waiting up to four years for a new piece of equipment to arrive.
Casarez said the department has already ordered the fire engine for Station 2, and the engine is expected to be delivered by the time the facility opens.
Boerne Fire Department
Upon opening the second fire station, the Boerne Fire Department will staff the facility with four full-time employees.
Casarez said one of the challenges with maintaining a low response time is the addition of responses outside the city limits, which brings the department’s response area to 193 square miles.
Boerne has not faced many challenges in getting applicants for positions, unlike neighboring departments. The largest challenge comes with adding staffing and finding funding for those positions within the city budget, Casarez said.
Bexar County ESD No. 4
Chief Andrade said that the station on the northern side of Fair Oaks Ranch is being considered to house department equipment. Since the location was formerly a volunteer fire department, the facility does not meet the needs of a full-time department.
Andrade said the department is pursuing a grant to staff the facility. If the grant is authorized, the ESD would pay a match for employee wages, and the district would assume a greater portion of the salary over the grant’s duration.
Should the grant be awarded, the department could utilize funds in early 2027. If staffed, the facility would reduce the response times in Fair Oaks Ranch.
“[The grant] helps us match what Fair Oaks Ranch is paying today. That kind of mimics their pay structure of taxes to Bexar County ESD 4, and we’re hoping that we’ll be successful with that grant next year,” Andrade said.
What happens next?
Casarez said Fire Station 2 is expected to break ground in April and be under construction for 12-18 months, with an opening date in Summer 2027.
For the station site located off I-10, Andrade said the department is working on a Standard of Cover, identifying which areas need improved fire services.
“A lot of people are seeing the growth out here, and the number of fire stations coming in the future. It is a testament to the thriving economy here and the desire to be here,” Casarez said.
