Fire Control, Prevention, and EMS District

Strategic Priority 1: Fire and EMS Vehicle Replacement Program

Objective

Maintain a safe, reliable, and modern emergency vehicle fleet to ensure operational readiness for all first responders.

The Fire Department has implemented an apparatus replacement schedule to manage the procurement and rotation of emergency vehicles. This strategic approach ensures the reliability of the fleet by systematically introducing new vehicles and transitioning current frontline units into reserve roles. In turn, older reserve apparatus are retired to reduce dependence on obsolescent equipment. Retired apparatus are used for parts, traded in, or sent to public auction to ensure the maximum return on taxpayer investment.

Typically, the plan involves acquiring a new fire engine every two years and a new ambulance annually to maintain an effective and efficient rotation cycle.

Consistent funding for vehicle replacement enables the department to incorporate the latest technological advancements in apparatus design and construction, improving safety and performance. The FCPEMSD will provide financial support for the acquisition of ambulances, fire engines, and other essential fire department vehicles.

FY26 Budget Investment

• Fire Engine 4 (Replacement): $1,300,000
• Fire Engine 5 (Replacement): $1,300,000
• Highwater vehicles (Upgrade): $100,000 for paint, steps, and bed covers
• Staff vehicle: $90,000

Outcomes & Impact

• Protect firefighters, paramedics, and patients with modern safety and design features
• Increased public trust through visible investment in emergency services
• Improved service to the elderly and disabled through addition of steps to high water rescue vehicles

Performance Measures

• Compliance with the latest National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and Texas Commission on Fire Protection regulations
• Improved availability rate of frontline emergency vehicles
• Reduced maintenance costs due to newer, more reliable equipment
• Reduced unit downtime due to more reliable reserve equipment

Strategic Priority 2: Fire and EMS Emergency Response Equipment

Objective

Enhance firefighter safety, operational efficiency, and emergency response capabilities by providing and maintaining the best available resources.

Firefighters rely on a wide range of firefighting and medical equipment to perform their duties effectively. The acquisition, maintenance, and timely replacement of this equipment are essential to ensuring both high-quality emergency services for the community and the safety of personnel.

The FCPEMSD provides funding for critical equipment such as firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), cardiac monitors, and handheld emergency radios.

All equipment is evaluated regularly by the Fire Department and replaced according to manufacturer specifications, industry standards, and state regulations to ensure optimal performance and compliance.

FY26 Budget Investment

• Extrication Tools: $38,215
• Handheld Mobile Radios and Headsets: $60,500
• Bunker Gear and Accessories: $123,300
• Heart Monitor/Defibrillators: $94,836 for 10 Heart Monitors through the Zoll One Program lease

Outcomes & Impact

• Fire Department communications will be secure, reliable, and interoperable with regional systems
• Improved patient outcomes through faster, more reliable cardiac monitoring and timely defibrillation
• Improved patient outcomes through rapid extrication utilizing the most advanced extrication technology
• Increased firefighter safety by reducing physical strain with ergonomically designed heavy rescue tools
• Improved control and precision during extrication operations, minimizing risk of secondary injury to responders and victims
• Enhanced firefighter safety by providing protective equipment constructed to the latest standards of thermal, vapor, and abrasion protection.
• Reduced risk of personal contamination through a PPE program that allows for rapid deployment of clean gear to the field so contaminated gear can be decontaminated and laundered.

Performance Measures

• All on-duty members of the Department will have radio communications capability with all mutual aid partners
• In-service crews will not use contaminated PPE
• All PPE will comply with Texas Commission on Fire Protection regulations
• Patients requiring a 12-lead EKG evaluation will receive it within the timeframe and reliability specified by protocol
• Heavy rescue extrication timeframes will improve

Strategic Priority 3: Fire Training Facility Expansion

Objective

To establish and sustain a dedicated fire training facility that provides a safe, realistic, and controlled environment for firefighters to develop, enhance, and maintain critical skills.

This facility will support ongoing professional development, compliance with industry standards and certifications, and the preparation of personnel for a wide range of emergency scenarios. The goal is to improve operational readiness, firefighter safety, and overall effectiveness in serving the community.

The Fire Training Facility is being developed according to a multi-year plan that includes several phases of construction and expansion. Phase III was completed within the past five years, and over the next five years, funding will be directed toward paying off the remaining debt from that phase. Additional phases will be evaluated as funding becomes available.

An annual evaluation of Fire Training Center programs and Fire Department strategic planning objectives will be conducted to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of this strategy.

FY26 Budget Investment

• Fire Training Facility Phase III: $781,750 for Phase III debt payment

Outcomes & Impact

• Dedicated space for fire, EMS, rescue, and hazmat training, enhancing cross-discipline readiness
• Support for hands-on, classroom, and outdoor instruction for realistic, flexible training environments
• Training expenditures are more efficient when training can be conducted internally at a City-owned facility
• Improved emergency response effectiveness through unified training for all personnel
• Increased efficiency and consistency in training delivery across the department
• Enhanced oversight and curriculum development in the training program by placing training personnel in office and meeting spaces together.
• Increased space for community meetings and public safety education programs, strengthening community trust and awareness
• Expanded in-house certification and continuing education programs, reducing reliance on external providers
• Consistent focus on maintaining high standards among Fire Department staff and ensuring public readiness

Performance Measures

• All required continuing education in all fire and EMS disciplines offered in-house
• Expenditures for external training limited to topics and products that cannot be offered in-house
• Classrooms and outdoor training facilities utilized weekly
• Community meetings accommodated monthly
• Public education events hosted quarterly (e.g., CPR, Stop the Bleed, CERT, fire prevention)
• Use of facility for regional mutual aid or joint-agency training exercises

Public Facing Voter Summary

The Baytown Fire Control, Prevention, and Emergency Medical Services District is a critically important funding source for the Baytown Fire Department. The revenue from the FCPEMSD is vital for ensuring the Department’s first responders have the best and safest equipment to provide services to the public. Purchases made with these funds support continued operational excellence in fire and EMS.

The proposed renewal in November 2025 will provide continued funding for:

• A modernized emergency vehicle fleet for more reliable, efficient, and accessible response
• Improved medical, protective, and rescue equipment for better public service
• A better-trained emergency response force

The FCPEMSD funds are directly and clearly aligned with these strategic goals. They help alleviate the financial pressure on property taxes by providing a dedicated and transparent source of investment in public safety. The 1/8th-cent sales tax ensures that non-residents who make purchases in Baytown also contribute to the public safety services that benefit everyone in the community, including both residents and visitors. Expenditures from this voter-approved funding are restricting and public oversight is maintained through the FCPEMSD board.

Total Proposed FY26 FCPEMSD Budget: $3,988,601

Breakdown:

• Fire and EMS Vehicle Replacement Program: $2,790,000
• Fire and EMS Emergency Response Equipment: $316,851
• Fire Training Facility Expansion: $781,750
• Elections: $100,000

What Makes Baytown’s Fire Control, Prevention, and Emergency Medical Services District Unique?

The Baytown FCPEMS District is a means for the taxpayers to dedicate a portion of funds directly to the Fire Department. The tax revenue generated through the District relieves the property tax burden by providing funds for important Fire Department initiatives that would otherwise have to come from the City’s general budget. This setup gives the voters a more direct say in the use of these funds and promotes accountability to the taxpayers.