Lavaca County officials back radio upgrades, discuss combined EMS/EOC/dispatch facility and endorse state aid for rural EMS

Lavaca County commissioners on Tuesday approved an update from the county telecommunications committee that puts the county's radio system into a final phase and endorsed a resolution urging state lawmakers to provide targeted funding for rural emergency medical services.

The committee report, delivered by EMS Director and telecommunications committee chair Michael Firth, said the county's radio system will add a fourth talk channel and is on track for completion by June. "The radio project is entering its last phase. It will be completed by June with adding of the fourth talk channel in the system," Firth said during the meeting. Commissioners voted to accept the telecommunications update (motion by Precinct 3, second by Precinct 4; motion passed unanimously).

Why it matters: county emergency responders rely on the shared radio system for interoperability among law enforcement, fire and EMS. Firth said better interoperability includes programming and trade visits with neighboring counties and Harris County to improve console and talk-group operation.

Committee findings and immediate needs

Firth reported several operational constraints driving discussion of a single, combined facility to house EMS, emergency management (the county EOC) and communications/dispatch. He said the EMS station at 906 N. Texana is at a dangerous intersection for emergency apparatus exits, lacks sufficient crew quarters and administrative space, and cannot absorb an additional staffed ambulance without adding vehicle and personnel space. Firth said the county recorded 103 "status 0" events in 2024—periods when no Lavaca County ambulances were available.

He told the court that dispatch operations at the sheriff's office are cramped, with roughly 60 square feet per dispatcher during a 12-hour shift and inadequate supervisor office and IT space. The committee is considering a consolidated three-in-one building to free space elsewhere (for example repurposing existing EMS administrative space for other county needs), provide a properly wired emergency operations center and give dispatch room for equipment and private supervisory interviews.

On planning and next steps, the committee recommends further study and possible formation of a building committee to scope IT needs, site options and cost estimates before any design or funding decisions.

State funding support

Also on Tuesday commissioners unanimously approved a resolution supporting Senate Bill 1377 and House Bill 3000, which proponents say would provide critical funding for rural EMS. Firth told the court he's testified for the legislation in Austin and estimated the funding could be "upwards of $350,000 for our county sized population" to help purchase ambulances or other assets. Motion to approve the resolution was made by Precinct 2 and seconded by Precinct 1; motion passed unanimously.

What commissioners said

Commissioners acknowledged workforce and space pressures, including sheriff's office and jail space needs, and urged planning for 2-, 5- and 10-year facility needs. The court also discussed seeking grants for a mobile EOC trailer and shared backup arrangements with the city of Shiner if the county's EOC becomes unavailable.

Next steps and caveats

The court approved only the telecommunications update and the resolution supporting state EMS funding; no design contract or site decision for a combined facility was made. Commissioners asked staff and the judge to develop a scope and timeline for a possible building committee and to pursue grant opportunities. Any construction or property acquisition would require separate motions and public approvals.

Ending

The county judge and commissioners praised county first responders and telecommunicators for ongoing service and directed staff to return with more detailed cost and site information if the court wishes to pursue a consolidated facility.