Texas department shifts apparatus strategy, adds two squad trucks as EMS calls dominate workload

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• A Texas fire department approved acquisition of two firefighter squad trucks and decommissioned an engine company to adjust to service demands.
• Officials cited that approximately 71 percent of the department’s calls involve emergency medical services.
• The new squad trucks are intended to align fire department resources with evolving community needs.
• City leaders and fire officials discussed staffing and deployment impacts during a public meeting.
• The transition plan includes review of operational effectiveness and response metrics.

GRAPEVINE, TX — A Texas fire department has approved the purchase of two firefighter squad trucks and the decommissioning of an engine company as officials adjust resource allocation to meet the current demand for emergency medical services, department and city leaders said.

Fire officials noted that an internal assessment showed about 71 percent of the department’s call volume consists of EMS responses, prompting a reevaluation of apparatus deployment and staffing models.

The addition of two squad trucks, which are typically equipped for rapid response and medical support operations, is intended to better align the department’s capabilities with the community’s operational needs.

During a recent public meeting, city and fire department representatives discussed the implications of decommissioning one engine company, potential impacts on coverage and how the new squad units will be integrated into daily response protocols.

Officials said the transition plan will include ongoing assessment of response times, call types and effectiveness to ensure the reconfigured fleet continues to support both fire suppression and medical response needs.