Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cedar Hill Fire Department highlights ISO 1 status, rising EMS demand and community programs in 2024 report
Summary
The Fire Department presented its 2024 annual report, reporting 8,308 unique 911 calls (12,164 total unit responses), ISO 1 designation, new community programs — including a life-jacket station and Community Connect registration — and steps to address rising call volumes and response-time pressures.
The Cedar Hill Fire Department presented its 2024 annual report to the City Council on Aug. 12, reporting that the department responded to 8,308 unique 911 calls and 12,164 unit responses last year, a workload that continues to rise. Fire leaders highlighted the department’s ISO 1 designation (awarded in 2020) and the completion of a new radio system investment that city council previously funded.
Chief Reyes and attendees credited the department's emphasis on training (monthly training hours for each firefighter) and specialty teams (technical rescue, wildland and a special-rescue unit) for maintaining service quality as call volumes grew. The department reported a roughly 6% increase in calls for service year over year and said about 68% of calls are medical in nature.
The report outlined community risk-reduction and outreach efforts: a life-jacket station at the state park built with donated materials and community partners (Home Depot, Atlas Signs), expanded inspection processes (the "First Due" program) that increased completed inspections, and a new Community Connect registration tool allowing residents and businesses to pre-load property and medical-access information to assist responders.
Leaders also discussed regional mutual-aid relationships. The department said it provides more automatic aid to neighboring cities than it receives and that the tri-city partnership (Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville) is a critical operational resource. Chiefs warned that increased call volumes and occasional unit shortages (reaching Level 0 when ambulances are out of service) can lengthen response times and may require continued staffing and technology investments.
Council formally accepted the Fire Department’s 2024 annual report by motion; members thanked department staff for programs that include training, resiliency support for first responders and community outreach.
Next steps: Council and city management will continue monitoring response times and regional aid arrangements and pursue grants and operational planning (including possible siren system replacement) to maintain ISO performance and emergency readiness.
