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The Cedar Park Fire Department History The Cedar Park Fire Department was established in 1972 as a volunteer department when the population was approximately 687. In 1994, the first five career firefighters were hired and worked a 40-hour week in conjunction with the volunteers. The City continued to hire full-time firefighters and a full-time paid Chief as the population increased. In 1997, the Fire Department essentially became a full-time paid department under the City organization. The fire department responds to calls in both the City and the ETJ serving a population of just over 52,500 people. Highlights of 2006-2007 The Fire Department was selected by the Texas Department of State Health Services as the top first responder fire department in the State of Texas in November 2006. There are over 2,400 fire departments in the state and this is a significant honor among so many worthy peers. This is a testament of the professionalism of our firefighters providing excellent emergency medical care in our community that results in lives being saved and compassionate care. The Mayor, City Council, and City Manager also deserve much credit for continually supporting the needs of the fire department. Fire Station 4 will start construction in July 2007 and will open in May 2008. This fire station will be located on Church Park St. located just east of Parmer Ln. between RM 1431 and Brushy Creek Rd. in the Ranch at Brushy Creek neighborhood by the community pool. This station will be staffed with 15 firefighters. Four firefighters were hired in FY 2006, five in FY 2007, and six more will be hired in FY 2008. Fire Station 4 will have an Engine Company, Ambulance, Brush Truck, and a small Rescue Truck with the Hazardous Materials/Command Trailer. A new $700,000 Quint was delivered in early 2007 and placed in service at Fire Station 1. A quint is a combination Engine and Ladder Truck that is comprised of a pump, water tank, hose, 75-ft. aerial ladder and rescue equipment. City Council has approved the purchase of a second $750,000 Quint that will have a 100 ft. aerial ladder with a platform bucket on the end to enhance rescue operations. The City Grant Coordinator has worked closely with the Fire Department and grants have been received to purchase automatic electronic defibrillators (Texas Department of State Health Services), radios (Texas Department of State Health Services), hydraulic rescue equipment (LCRA), thermal imaging camera (Firehouse Subs), and a Teen Advocates for Community Safety/Characterization trailer (Firehouse Subs). Additional grant applications have been submitted to the Department of Homeland Security. The Department continues to focus primarily on firefighter safety through aggressive training programs at the Fire Training Facility. The Cedar Park Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Citizen Fire Academy graduated its second class in 2006 and now has 26 members. The next class starts June 19, 2007. City Council provided funding to purchase $11,000 in rope rescue equipment in FY 2006 plus additional funds to build an exercise room at Fire Station 3. Firefighters provided the labor to build the room. The Cedar Park Fire Department has played a significant role in forming a Williamson County Swift Water Team that is now operational. A trailer was purchased in 2006 that holds the Swift Water/ Dive Rescue equipment. The next phase of the County-wide technical rescue team involving rope rescue operations has begun and will continue to develop throughout 2007. The Department has partnered with the Wayne Wright Law Firm to provide smoke detectors and installation services to residents in residential homes throughout the community at no charge. The department is actively involved in the community by attending parades, providing station tours, participating in community events, birthday parties, and other occasions to continually enhance the relationship with our customers. If you need to request a medical or fire report for an incident involving the Cedar Park Fire Department, please fill out the Report Request Form available here and fax to our Administrative Office at 512-260-2464. Staffing Administration - The Admin Staff consists of; One Chief, One Asst. Chief, One Administrative Assistant, Four Battalion Chiefs(Three in Suppression and one in Training), and the Fire Marshal. Suppression - The Cedar Park Fire Department currently has three Engine Companies and One Battalion Chief on duty each day. The fire department currently has 54 people assigned to the suppression division. Each Engine is assigned one Lieutenant, one Driver, and two Firefighters. Engine one is assigned three extra firefighters per shift, who rotate to cover for FF’s off on leave. We are also in year two of a three year staffing plan to hire fire personnel for fire Station 4 set to open May 1, 2008. Fire Prevention - The Prevention Division consists of a Fire Marshal, one part-time inspector, one full time Inspector, one administrative assistant, and two code enforcement officers. Training - The Training Division is run by the Training Battalion Chief, with assistance from some suppression staff. Dispatchers - The Fire Department has three staff assigned to Dispatch |
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