HISTORICAL DATA

The Texas City Fire Department was chartered in 1911 as a volunteer organization. In 1947 the Texas City Disaster took the lives of 27 volunteer Fire Fighters. Soon after, the Department became partially paid with one paid Fire Fighter and his family living at each station. The Department was transformed into a fully paid career organization 1955.

With the retirement of the Fire Chief Roy McKinney in 1991, Retired Albuquerque Fire Chief Gerald Grimm was called upon to take the Department into the 21 st century and beyond.

A Water Rescue Program was soon implemented. Emergency Medical Services Response (1st Responders) was put into place in 1992 to ensure adequate and timely pre-hospital care to those experiencing sudden medical emergencies. A Hazardous Materials Response Squad, High Angle and Confine Space specialty teams were soon to follow.

The Department now operates out of 3 facilities, Central Station and the Administration complex built in 1994, Station 2 built in 1995, and Station 3 built in 1999. The Department operates in 3 shifts with 57 line positions and 5 staff positions (Fire Marshal, Asst. Fire Marshal, and Executive) for a total of 62 personnel. Transformation from a single dimension organization focusing primarily on fire protection services, has dramatically benefited our community and changed the face of our Department forever.

An Industrial Mutual Aid System (IMAS) was created to ensure adequate protection from Industrial emergencies.

The Texas City Fire Department is firmly committed to quality public service through versatility and will remain a vibrant organization comprised of highly skilled, dedicated professionals continually seeking "opportunities to serve" our community as we enter the next millennium.