Everman fire chief urges Tarrant County ESD to stop municipal subsidy, questions station plan

Everman Fire Chief told the Everman City Council on June 24 that a recent Tarrant County Emergency Services District No. 1 strategic study does not prioritize ending municipal subsidies for county emergency medical services and that the omission threatens Everman’s budget and firefighter pay.

The chief said Everman receives about $590 from the county for each ambulance response into unincorporated areas but that the true per‑call operating cost is closer to the local and national average of about $1,300. “Every time our ambulance responds to the county, the city is writing a check in the amount of about $488.82,” the Fire Chief said. He urged the ESD to use available sales‑and‑use tax revenue to stop municipalities from subsidizing county responses and to raise firefighter compensation.

The council heard a presentation summarizing the ESD strategic study, prepared by a consultant and provided to the council in draft or final form. The study recommends building three new ESD stations (Eagle Mountain, Whiskey Flats and Lakeside), funding nine ambulances, assuming billing responsibilities, and pursuing performance‑based contracts. The Fire Chief said those…