Officials with the Harris County Emergency Services District No. 9 announced at a May 28 meeting intentions to take control of the Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department and begin offering fire and emergency medical services directly by year’s end.
The move will unlock several advantages that will help the department, as a fully governmental entity, be more competitive in recruiting and maintaining fire fighters, which ESD Commissioner Tommy Balez said will be crucial for adapting to population growth. Once the merger is completed, the Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department would cease to exist, and the ESD would begin operating under its new name—the Cy-Fair Fire Department.
Under their existing relationship, the ESD has a contract with the fire department that includes managing the department’s budget, hiring and setting the general course for growth.