Grapevine, TX, Fire Union Sparks Debate Over Closure of Engine Company for New Ambulance

A plan by the city of Grapevine to reorganize its fire and EMS operations is being fought by the firefighter union, which says it believes the changes would compromise emergency response.

But city leaders including the fire chief say the reorganization plan — which has been in the works for years — is necessary to meet the needs of the growing city. They disagree that it poses any risks.

A consultant hired by the city in 2021 recommended the changes, including the need for a fourth ambulance. About 71% of calls to the fire department are for EMS.

“We are strategically reallocating resources and strengthening minimum staffing to be more efficient stewards of public funds,” said a statement from the mayor and city manager. “In 2021, the results of an operational and efficiency study by a leading public safety consulting firm, Fitch and Associates, were presented to the City Council. That study led us to the need to purchase a fourth ambulance to meet the needs of our residents and visitors and the ability to reallocate existing resources to do so.”

If implemented this summer, the city would take Engine 1 out of service and add a “squad,” which is specialized unit used for high-risk fire rescue operations that also has the ability to provide EMS care.

“Moving forward, we’ll have four ambulances in service every day to make this happen with in our current budget, it will mean taking one fire company out of service,” Fire Chief Darrell Brown told the City Council at a Feb. 17 meeting. “Four ambulances will be stationed at stations 2 through 5 and, and we’ll introduce a squad company in Station 1.”

The Grapevine Professional Firefighters Association believes the plan is flawed.

“If implemented, this plan would eliminate the city’s only double-company firehouse,” the association posted on social media. “Engine 1 would be permanently shut down, and it would be replaced with a two-person squad operating out of a pickup-truck, while other personnel are reassigned to place a fourth medic in service.”

The association says it is concerned about the impact on fire emergency capabilities, especially at high-traffic locations such as Grapevine Mills and large hotels and entertainment venues including Great Wolf Lodge.

“Replacing a fully staffed fire engine with a two-person squad reduces the city’s capacity to respond effectively to structure fires, vehicle accidents, technical rescues, and other critical emergencies throughout the community,” the association said.

In a statement, Mayor William D. Tate and City Manager Bruno Rumbelow said the reorganization would have happened sooner, but supply chain issues after the pandemic delayed purchases of equipment.

“We fully support Chief Brown and the Fire Department in their efforts to meet the ever-evolving needs of our citizens and remain community focused,” their statement said.

The city says the “squad” concept has been used successfully in other cities.

“In addition, a blocker truck will be in service at all times. Highway safety during traffic incidents was cited as the largest concern in a recent department survey. The Scorpion (blocker) essentially protects first responders on the scene of traffic incidents by ‘blocking’ the road. It also serves as an advanced warning system, as it is seen first by motorists,” the city’s statement said.

The fire chief told the City Council at the Feb. 17 meeting that he is accountable to his department.

“Ultimately, I hope that after this, you’re going to see that my whole goal is that we’re better,” Brown said. “We strive to be better today then we were yesterday, and that’s what this is all about as well.”

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