These days, there’s a lot more involved in operating a fire department than spraying water on flames.
That’s clearly depicted in the City of Houston Fire Department’s response statistics for 2023, as 128 of the agency’s 214 responses were medical in nature.
The HFD began EMR (emergency medical responses) at the beginning of 2022. Since then, the department has time and again provided valuable assistance for citizens in need while waiting for ambulances to arrive.
Due to the rapidly-increasing volume of ambulance calls, crews are spread thin and those wait times have reached as much as 40 minutes.
“I’m so proud of our personnel being able to provide that service to our citizens,” said HFD Chief Robbie Smith, who began duties in the position in November 2018. “Those delays do occur, unfortunately, and there’s nothing we can do about it other than do what we can to help.”
As well as major emergencies, the medical calls category includes CPR, lift assists, landing zones and anything else pertaining to a medical situation.
The HFD always focuses on top-notch equipment maintenance, and 2023 was no exception:
•All 278 hydrants within city limits received annual inspections and flush procedures, and some were tested to determine water pressure and gallons-per-minute flow.
•Annual testing and certification was conducted on all fire engine pump systems, and the department’s Pierce Quantum aerial assault truck had its ladder tested and certified.
•All 20 of the HFD’s self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units were also tested and certified.
PERSONNEL
The HFD currently has 34 people on its roster, including 23 males and 11 females. Four of the women are scene-support personnel who are registered nurses and can perform several duties aside from firefighting and offer valuable know-how in emergency medical responses.
In addition to Smith, HPD officers include Jon Cook (assistant chief), Jeremy St. John (assistant/safety), Don Gaston (captain), CJ Moore (captain) and Bobby Bell (lieutenant). Smith said a second lieutenant will soon be appointed.
The City of Houston pays firefighters per response, with personnel possessing firefighter I and II certification receiving $75 for structure fire calls and $55 for other calls, while others receive $25 per call.
“Our department personnel continue to show their true dedication to our community in responding to fires and emergencies,” Smith said. “Whether it’s a residential fire, motor vehicle crash or medical emergency, our team is always ready to protect and serve.”
Smith logged 1,713 hours in 2023, compared to 1,584 in 2022.
FLEET
The HFD’s vehicular fleet remained unchanged in 2023. Included are a 2021 Pierce Saber fire engine, the “first-out” truck with a six-man cab that leaves the station before all others for every response within the city limits, but is not used for mutual aid with other departments.
Even though it can accommodate six firefighters, the truck goes out immediately after at least two are in it.
“The quicker we can put water on a fire, the less amount of damage occurs,” Smith said.
The HFD’s two other fire trucks are a 2006 Pierce Quantum aerial assault engine with a 75-foot extendable ladder (second-out) and a 2008 Pierce Saber pumper engine (third-out). Both are available for mutual aid when other area departments request it.
The department also has a 2021 four-door Ford F-250 outfitted as a command vehicle.
TRAINING FACILITY
The process is under way to construct a firefighter training facility on a 1.92-acre tract on Opportunity Circle, next to the city’s big water tower and between the city’s Tuttle Soccer Complex and the Opportunity Sheltered Industries building.
“That’s a huge stepping stone for this department and this community,” Smith said. “We will finally have the ability to provide the training necessary for our firefighters to perform their jobs to the best of their ability.
“When the tax was being proposed, we promised the citizens that training and equipment would be top priorities, and we’re continuing to keep that promise.”
The land was obtained from the Houston Industrial Authority a few years ago, and several steps have already been taken to prepare it, including the construction of a retention pond for water run-off and leveling of ground for the facility.
The multi-story training tower will allow for numerous forms of training, including live burns, entrapment, ground ladder placement, aerial ladder placement, ventilation, forceable entry, ascent and descent, and more. The pond will allow for training in “drafting,” or using an on-location water supply for pumper trucks.
Similar training sites are uncommon in the region, sand Smith looks forward to sharing it with other departments.
“It’s going to be a great bonus for a lot of people,” Smith said. “I can’t thank the city council enough for helping us move forward with this plan. To see it finally happening is a huge success.”
Smith said the prefabricated structure (which will be assembled on site) is almost half complete and should be ready for use later this year. It will be delivered by a convoy of five tractor-trailer rigs.
IMPROVEMENTS AND MORE
A major improvement to the entire fire station on First Street took place when firefighter Hunter Stilley installed new exterior LED lights over each bay door and added bright interior LED lighting (while also removing all inoperable halogen lighting). He also installed a motion sensor to activate the interior bay lights, so people no longer have to walk down the fire bay interior staircase in darkness.
“That’s a big plus,” Smith said. “Even the police department appreciates what Hunter did because it was so dark in the city hall parking lot.”
A new exterior fire station sign, constructed locally by Tom Hale, is nearing completion. The metal sign is expected to last 25 to 30 years (excluding natural weather disasters).
The HFD had a new entry in last year’s annual Christmas Parade: An elaborate float depicting Santa’s reindeer and sleigh, mounted on a custom metal trailer.
“A lot of heart and true dedication went into that,” Smith said.
Plywood for the sleigh and reindeer were donated by CHC Do-It Center owner Chris Davis, and funding to purchase the metal for the trailer was donated by V.I.P. Properties manager Jan Watson.
“It turned out absolutely great,” Smith said. “That was really a fun project and it will create memories for many years to come for all ages.”
THE TAX
The HFD is funded in large part by income from a sales tax approved by voters in 2019.
Funding of the training facility, equipment upgrades and many other aspects of the HFD rely on revenue generated by the tax.
“Without that tax,” Smith said, “none of the great things that have been happening for the last three or four years would have been possible.”
UPCOMING IN 2024
The HFD will implement a new procedure of documenting the exterior and interior of all businesses and manufacturers inside city limits and entering the data in the laptops of each vehicle in the fleet. The results will provide an opportunity for personnel to know what they’re dealing with before arriving on a scene.
“These pre-plans allow us to have the needed knowledge of what we are encountering should any emergency occur,” Smith said. “It will give us a heads-up of what objects might be in a particular building, or what might be of concern if there’s a fire load in a certain area.”
A letter will be sent to each business describing the plan.
The HFD has an ISO rating of 4, which is unusually good for a small-town department.
“We strive for continued improvement,” Smith said, “and that will always remain a goal of ours. We continue to have regular training classes, certifications and exercises to enhance our skills and ensure we are prepared for the situation at hand.
“The safety of our citizens, and that of people visiting or traveling through our area, is our mission, and we take that seriously.”
In general, Smith sees the state of the HFD in a positive light in early 2024.
“I believe we’re headed on the right path,” he said.
HFD RESPONSES IN 2023
128 EMR (Emergency Medical Responses)
9 Carbon monoxide, propane and gas leaks
8 Mutual aid, structure fires
8 Fire alarms
7 Electrical fires
5 Wildfires
5 Public assist
4 Structure fires
4 Power lines down/pole on fire
4 Severe weather
3 Unlawful burn
2 Motor vehicle crashes
2 Flue fires
2 Search and rescue
2 Prescribed burns
1 Vehicle fire
1 Dumpster fire
214 total responses
