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Fire chief outlines possible automatic aid agreement with Waco to speed structure-fire response
Summary
Chief Christian described a draft automatic aid plan with Waco that would tone-out the closest units simultaneously, help meet NFPA staffing standards on scene, and may require CAD integration or an interim software patch; staff said the agreement would be availability-based and no binding commitment was sought tonight.
Chief Christian briefed the council on a proposed automatic aid agreement with Waco Fire Department that would dispatch the nearest engine to structure fires in adjacent districts to help assemble the NFPA-recommended 15 personnel on scene. He said the agreement focuses on confirmed structure fires (smoke or fire showing) and would dispatch Waco and Texas City units simultaneously so crews get en route faster.
Chief Christian said the draft agreement is availability-based (units would respond "when available") and would not obligate either agency to send units if they are already committed elsewhere. He described operational options for making the system count personnel for ISO and NFPA purposes: a full CAD-to-CAD patch or a temporary workaround using existing reporting/alerting software. Initial cost estimates discussed in the briefing for a CAD patch were described in the transcript as roughly $10,000–$15,000 annually, though Chief Christian said the precise cost and a cost-sharing arrangement had not been finalized.
The chief said Waco ran 10 structure fires last year in the area under consideration and estimated Texas City might be called to assist about once a month under the proposed coverage. Benefits cited included faster arrival of personnel, improved safety through crew rotation on-scene and potential eligibility for grants that require meeting NFPA staffing levels. Chief Christian said staff will continue discussions with Waco and report back with draft agreement language and implementation-cost details before returning to council for any action.
No formal action was taken; council members asked clarifying questions about CAD integration, staff availability in nearby departments, and whether the arrangement would affect mutual-aid expectations with other neighboring agencies.
