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Meyersville
Volunteer Fire Department

Emergency Service District (ESD)

Washington County Proposed ESD

As members of the Chappell Hill Volunteer Fire Department and the Meyersville Volunteer Fire Department, we would like to introduce ourselves and ask for your support in creating an emergency service district in Washington County to serve your community better.

What is an Emergency Service District?

Emergency Service Districts are local political subdivisions of the State created through public elections that provide fire, rescue, EMS, and other emergency services directly OR through contracts to help fund local fire and EMS departments.

ESDs are governed by a board of five commissioners who are most often appointed by the County, except in multi-county or specific counties (e.g., Harris), which are run by elected boards.

ESDs are primarily funded by property taxes of $0.10 per $100 of property valuation as determined by the constitution.

The ESD board of Commissioners set the tax rate annually.

EXAMPLE: On a $250,000 assessed value home, the property owner would pay $250 on their county tax bill for the ESD’s $0.10 per $100 tax rate.

What is the point?

Funding

ESDs provide a reliable funding source for local fire and EMS services rather than depending on inconsistent revenue sources such as fundraisers, campaign letters, grants, etc.

Economic

ESDs spread the cost of vitals emergency services among all tax-payers within the district, and ensure ALL constituents may depend on reliable services when needed.

Communities

ESDs may work with existing volunteer fire departments or other entities that have full time fire & emergency personnel to provide services to the districts constituents, helping local departments do what they do without the added stress of financial and organizational pressures.

Benefits

The formation of an ESD may also result in a better Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating within the ESDs service area and therefore may provide lower insurance premiums for businesses and homeowners in that area.

The Departments

Logo of Chappell Hill Fire Department featuring a map of Texas with the state flag's colors. A fire hydrant, established date "Org. 1974," and a fireman's hat are superimposed on the map. The circular yellow border has "Chappell Hill Fire Dept." inscribed.

Chappell Hill Volunteer Fire Department

  • Was created in 1974.
  • Currently serving a 100 square mile district with over 5,000 citizens within the district!
  • Currently is being run by Fire Chief Michael Kmiec
  • Is also made up of approximately 20 volunteers which includes, Fire Chief, Assistant Chief, Captains, Firefighters, and general members.

A meyersville fire and rescue emblem featuring a metallic eagle above crossed firefighting and rescue tools, with flags and a banner reading "wash co. the great 983" on a red and yellow shield.

Meyersville Volunteer Fire Department

  • Was created in 1982.
  • Currently serving a 47 square mile district with over 2,100 citizens within the district!
  • Currently is being run by Fire Chief Trey Burleson
  • Is also made up of approximately 19 volunteers which includes, Fire Chief, Assistant Chief, Lieutenants, Firefighters and general members.

The image shows a red vehicle with the number 9221, focusing on the front headlight and part of the hood. In the background, multiple vehicles, including a white truck, are on a road with orange traffic cones and traffic lights visible under a cloudy sky.

Call Volume Data

  • In 2020 both departments responded to a combined total of 117 calls for service..
  • In 2021 both departments responded to a combined total of 194 calls for service.
  • In 2022 both departments responded to a combined total of 365 calls for service.
  • In 2023 both departments responded to a combined total of 243 calls for service.
  • So Far, in 2024 both departments have ran a total of 400 calls for service. December 2024
  • On average the most calls these departments respond to are associated with motor vehicle accidents, grass fires, and structure fires.
  • Other calls are vehicle fires, hazmat calls, fire alarms, rescue incidents and many more

Response Times

Chappel Hill

  • Current Average Response Time: 14 minutes & 45 seconds
  • Average Truck Turnout Time: 9 Minutes & 21 seconds (This is the average time it takes for a firefighting Apparatus to leave the fire station)
  • Working Turnout Time Goal: 5 Minutes
  • Staff Delay: 89% of the calls had a delayed turnout time due to no staff being at the station.
  • Average Time Spent On Calls: 1 Hour / 22 Minutes / 19 Seconds

Meyersville

  • Current Average Response Time: 17 Minutes & 57 Seconds
  • Average Truck Turnout Time: 9 Minutes & 11 Seconds
  • Working Turnout Time Goal: 5 Minutes
  • Staff Delay: 98% of the calls had a delayed turnout time due to no staff being at the station.
  • Average Time Spent On Calls: 2 Hour / 22 Minutes / 42 Seconds

Ideal Response

Structure Fire

  • 1 Engine with 4 Personnel
  • 1 Tender with 2 Personnel
  • Chief/Incident Commander

Suggested Requirements
  • 13-16 Personnel
  • 2 Engines
  • 1 Truck/Rescue
  • Incident Commander
  • Safety Officer
  • Rapid Intervention Team (RIT)

Grass Fire

  • 1-2 Brush Trucks with 2-4 Personnel
  • 1 Tender with 2 Personnel
  • 1 Chief/Incident Commander

Car Fire

  • 1 Engine with 4 personnel
  • 1 Tender with 2 personnel

Crash with & without Entrapment

  • 1 Rescue with 4 personnel
  • 1 Engine with 4 personnel
  • 1 Tender with 2 personnel
  • 1 Incident Commander or Fire Chief

Automatic Fire Alarm

  • 1 Engine with 4 personnel

Smoke Investigation

  • 1 Booster with 2 personnel

Illegal Burning

  • 1 Booster with 2 personnel

Where are we going? How do we get there?

Everything that is listed here is subject to change. Inflation costs along with ESD income and other department needs will all be a factor into these different items being accomplished. Both departments will be collaborating with one another to determine who has a bigger need at the time to ensure both agencies are taken care of. Operational Budgets are not included in these numbers as these are capital needs/Expenditures.
  • Funding for Rescue Engine (new Engine cost approximately $665,000 payments on 15 years is Approximately $71,000 per year)
  • Replace expired Personal Protective Equipment
  • Purchase needed Rescue equipment
Total: $700,000 est.
  • Plan for Staffing Duty Crew
  • Replace Brush Truck
  • Replace Out-dated Radio’s
  • Replace out-dated PPE
Total: $700,000 est.
  • Purchase Command/Rescue vehicle
  • Plan for secure Adding station for better response coverage
  • Hire 2 Paid Duty Crew Personnel
  • Purchase New Brush Truck
Total: $1,400,000 est.
A fire department vehicle with "Meyersville Fire Dept" on the side faces a field where fireworks light up the night sky, with red hues illuminating the scene. Smoke billows near the ground and figures can be seen in the background watching the display.

Strategic Needs & Goals

Approximate Minimum Cost for Meyersville VFD over 10 years is $3,500,000

  • Cost of vehicles & apparatus continue to rise due to manufacturing, emissions standards, & supply shortages
  • Expired & outdated gear and equipment puts first responders in danger, and may cost someone their life.
  • New Radios & Tech allow for inter-agency cooperation and communication, and keep first responders safe.