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Tyler Epstein tells Polk County commissioners reassignment of Goodrich VFD territory may have delayed emergency response
Summary
A resident told the Polk County Commissioners Court it removed Goodrich Volunteer Fire Department territory in October 2024, then alleged two subsequent emergencies near the station (one involving an infant) were routed elsewhere; he urged officials to seek an attorney general opinion.
During the public-comment period on Jan. 13, 2026, Tyler Epstein said the commissioners'court's decision in October 2024 to reassign territory away from the Goodrich Volunteer Fire Department deprived nearby residents of the closest trained responders.
Epstein told the court two later emergencies occurred near the Goodrich station. He said dispatch directed Livingston Volunteer Fire Department to the calls, that Livingston volunteers appeared unsure of the location, and that a baby involved in one incident "is no longer with us." Epstein pressed the court, saying officials could have requested a Texas attorney general opinion if there was uncertainty about their legal authority to change territories.
"Now when you look in the mirror, that baby's opportunity at life is on your conscience," Epstein said during his remarks.
Epstein urged the court to refrain from interfering with volunteer fire departments and said local communities can raise funds if financial support is an issue. No formal response or motion to revisit the October 2024 action was recorded in the meeting minutes during the public-comment period.
