Hondo, TX, Fire Department Closes Doors after 115 Years of Service
After operating for 115 years, the Hondo Volunteer Fire Department shut their doors Friday after terminating their contract with Medina County Emergency Services District (ESD) 6.
Department members said the lack of funding, and communications from the ESD put them in a position where they felt they could no longer serve their residents.
“It just seems that everything we ask for, we just don’t get," Hondo Fire Department President Philip Batteau told KENS5.com.
Batteau joined the fire department in 1996 and said he's been talking with taxpayers about the two-decade-old apparatus they use, despite a good tax base in the community.
"It’s a slap in the face to hear they’re bringing three guys over here to man our station 24/7 at the sum of $100,000 a month for six months and they’re getting more for three guys wages than we’re getting for our annual budget," Batteau told the television station.
Medina County ESD 6 did not respond to requests from the television station.
"The City of Hondo values transparency and keeping our citizens informed about matters that affect our community. As many of you may be aware, recent developments have unfolded regarding fire protection services in our area. While the City of Hondo does not oversee the operations of Medina County Emergency Services District (ESD) 6 or the Hondo Volunteer Fire Department (HVFD), we have been in communication with both parties to express our concern for the safety and well-being of our citizens," the City of Hondo posted in a Facebook statement. "To ensure continuous fire protection for the community, ESD 6 has contracted ESD 1 to provide 24/7 professional fire services. ESD 1 will be operating out of the fire station in Hondo and has assured us of their readiness to serve our community, taking proactive steps to ensure a smooth and seamless transition."
Earlier this month, Hondo Fire Chief Gaylon Schueling wrote in a statement:
"The Hondo Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., 'HVFC' has been serving the residents of Medina County since 1909. Comprised of brave individuals from the region, the HVFC has always been available to serve and protect the citizens of Hondo and surrounding communities by offering fire protection and suppression services, rescue, and other services.
The Medina County Emergency Services District No. 6 “MCESD6” is a political subdivision of the State of Texas which was created and operates pursuant to the Health and Safety Code of the State of Texas. ESD’s were established to support or provide local emergency services, including emergency medical services, emergency ambulance services, rural fire prevention and control services, and other emergency services authorized by the Texas Legislature.
ESD’s use the property taxes of their district to support or provide these services. The above referenced entities have been operating pursuant to an agreement that was entered into by MCESD6 and the HVFC and was executed and signed on March 13, 2015. The Agreement was not renewed at the end of its term and therefore had remained in effect on a month-to-month basis since the date of expiration until HVFC recently decided to terminate the agreement.
The Agreement dictated the terms by which HVFC would offer the services referenced above to the Hondo community as a contracted entity of MCESD6. The outdated Agreement as well as secretive decisions and reckless actions of the MCESD6 left the HVFC no alternative but to terminate the Agreement, as it severely compromised the HVFC’s ability to safely and adequately provide the necessary services to the citizens of Hondo.
While the MCESD6 receives significant funds from the taxes of its residents, only a minimal amount of those funds are expended for the betterment and safety of their constituents. This has resulted in the HVFC’s inability to purchase the necessary vehicles and equipment to properly perform their duties as well as the inability to maintain those items.
Further, some decisions of the Board of MCESD6 have or will limit the capability of the members of the HVFC to perform their duties. The results of these actions have been a stark decrease in the fire protection services available to the Hondo area, as well as an increased risk of damage and harm for the properties of residents and businesses of the region.
The Hondo Volunteer Fire Company has a history and reputation of providing exceptional fire protection services to the Hondo area for decades. Based on this experience, the HVFC acknowledges that until a proper and drastically revised agreement that’s primary focus is the safety, health and well-being of the citizens of MCESD6’s District, rather than for the benefit of MCESD6, the welfare of their residents will continue to suffer.
An ESD, through their powers and stable funding, should strive to achieve reduced fire and medical response times, stable and adequate funding for volunteer and other fire and EMS departments, and to assist local entities in providing enhanced services – thus saving lives, property, and funds for local citizens. Medina County Emergency Services District #6, has failed to accomplish any of these objectives.
The Hondo Volunteer Fire Company's contract with MCESD6 ends at 11:59 p.m. on November 21, 2024, and HVFC will no longer respond to calls as of 12:00 a.m. on November 22, 2024, until a new agreement is reached."
