· Justification
1. Population Growth
o The population in the area defined as between Fry Road on the East, Mason Road on the West, Clay Road on the North and Franz Road on the South has increased over 463% in the past ten years (population figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau). In 1990 there was a total of 1,318 people living in this area. As of 2000 there was 7,426 people living in the area (Population_Map) and well over 1,000 new homes have been constructed since then.
o Raintree Village is currently expanding the Northern portion of the subdivision by some 200+ homes.
o Westfield Estates is fast building out the subdivision.
o Lakes of Bridgewater is one of the fastest growing subdivisions in West Harris County and have added over 1,000 new homes since the 2000 census.
o Three new subdivisions (1,200 new homes) are in the planning stages.
2. I-10 Freeway Expansion Project
o The I-10 Freeway expansion project began in July 2003.
o The construction may impede the fast response of fire apparatus from South of the freeway to the North side.
o Placing of additional resources on the North side will help ensure sufficient resources are available for an initial response.
o Construction and alternate traffic patterns may impede mutual aid responses from Katy Fire Department from the West, Cy-Fair Fire Department from the North and Westlake and Houston Fire Departments from the East.
3. Grand Parkway Expansion Project
o Bidding for the Northern expansion of the Grand Parkway (Hwy 99) is expected in late 2003.
o Additional construction and traffic diversions may further impede mutual aid responses.
4. School Additions
o Two (2) new schools are being built at Franz Road and Mason Road.
o A recently built school is located on North Fry Road.
o Traffic to and from the schools could impede emergency responses during normal school hours.
5. ISO Rating
o West I-10 Fire Department initiated an ISO evaluation in 2001 that lowered the ISO rating from a 6 to a 4, resulting in lower homeowner insurance premiums for homeowners.
o
West I-10 Fire Department has been working the past two years to
prepare for a new ISO evaluation. One of the categories in the evaluation
needing improvement was the “Credit of Distribution” where West I-10 Fire
Department received a credit of 1.88 out of a maximum of 4.00. The “Credit of
Distribution” states “This item reviews the percent of the built-upon area of
the city which has an adequately-equipped responding first-due engine company
within 1 ½ miles and an adequately-equipped, responding ladder-service company
within 2 ½ miles”. This “Credit of Distribution” is not a STANDARD.
Instead, it is an evaluation tool to measure the coverage of an area by a fire
service.
Much of the North territory lay outside the 1 ½ mile distance from a fire
station. With current construction of station #5 and future construction of
station #6, over 90% residents living in ESD#48’s service area will live within
1 ½ miles of a fire station and all residents will live within 2 ½ miles of a
fire station.
6. Location
o The location was chosen to give optimal access to all subdivisions in the North East section.
· Morton Ranch Road dead ends Westbound, just past Raintree Village Drive and the county did not have a time set when this road would be completed.
· To allow apparatus from station #5 the access to Lakes of Bridgewater subdivision and to the subdivisions of from Fry Road, it was determined to place this station in the far North East corner of the service area.
· Project
1. Purchase land
o Property has been purchased at Westfield Parkway and N. Fry Road.
2. Engage architect
o Joiner Partnership, Inc. is contracted.
3. Approve Station plans
o Final station plans have received approval.
4. Permits
o Permits and station plats have been approved.
5. Temporary facilities
o Temporary facilities are underway and will be completed by November 1st, 2003.
6. Bid construction
o Bid package for permanent facilities are planned to be released in October 2003.
7. Begin construction
o Construction of permanent facilities is planned to begin late 2003.
8. Open facility
o Station construction may take 12 to 18 months.
· Justification
1. In preparation to meet the needs of residents when the construction of the I-10 freeway began, the West I-10 VFD determined that a paid “day crew” would be needed of the North side of the territory. West I-10 VFD made this commitment in mid 2002 while preparing the 2003 budget. The plan was to add the additional firefighters in July 2003 when the I-10 freeway expansion project began.
· Project
1. The second “Day Crew” began on July 1st, 2003 according to plan.
· Justification
1. As the area continues to develop, additional resources will be needed in the North West section of the territory. The West I-10 VFD and ESD#48 is preparing for the future by beginning development of this new station.
· Project
1. Identify and purchase land
o In progress.
2. Temporary facilities
o Temporary facilities will be moved from Station #5 upon completion of station #5 permanent facilities.
3. Initiate construction of permanent facilities for station #6.
o Will plan construction of permanent facilities as population in area increases.
· Justification
1. Station #4 has one small room that functions as a gathering room and office. The room is not large enough to conduct training. Therefore, all station training must be performed in the bay area or at another station.
2. Station #4 has no cooking facilities.
· Project
1. A training/meeting room, office and kitchen facilities will be added on the West side of the existing building.
o Construction plans have been approved.
o Bid packages were released near the end of September 2003.
o Construction to begin last quarter of 2003.