City of Katy Fire Department

Looking Forward: Wilson To Become Mesquite Fire Chief

Katy Fire Chief Russell Wilson (City of Katy photo)

By George Slaughter Katy Fire Chief Russell Wilson has accepted the fire chief position in the City of Mesquite. He begins his new job November 1. Wilson said Tuesday that the move was a “homecoming” for him. Wilson began his career in 2007 with the Irving Fire Department. Irving is approximately 25 miles west of Mesquite, which is east of Dallas and has a population of approximately 143,000. Both communities are part of the Dallas-Fort […]

Katy Fire Chief Russell Wilson Resigns

Katy Fire Chief Russell Wilson (City of Katy photo)

By George Slaughter Katy Fire Chief Russell Wilson resigned Friday, Mayor Bill Hastings said in a news release. No reason was given for Wilson’s resignation. Wilson’s last day on the job will be October 23. Efforts to reach Wilson for comment Friday were unsuccessful. Hastings said Assistant Fire Chief Kenneth Parker will serve as interim chief. Wilson came to Katy in 2016, recruited by then-Mayor Fabol Hughes and other city officials, from Irving, where he […]

Katy Fire Department’s Improved Class Rating Could Mean Lower Insurance Bills

Mayor Chuck Brawner and Fire Chief Russell Wilson at a April 17 news conference announcing the fire department's achieving a Class 1/1X ISO rating - George Slaughter photo

By George Slaughter Katy city officials said Wednesday that Katy homeowners and businesses could save money on future insurance premiums thanks to a rating achieved by the Katy Fire Department. The Class 1/1X ISO (for Insurance Services Office) came after the ISO completed and sent its survey, review, and results to Katy Fire Chief Russell Wilson. He accepted the results and forwarded them to the state’s fire marshal, who is expected to issue a formal […]

City to Open New Fire Station Saturday

By George Slaughter It’s been a long time coming for Katy city leaders, but the city will open its second fire station at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at 25420 Bell Patna Dr. The dedication has long been anticipated by city officials after following some unexpected delays. The original location for the station was supposed to have been on west of Katy Mills Mall, but that site was left covered in water following the 2016 Tax Day […]

December in Katy Brings Pancakes with Santa, Old Fashioned Christmas Festival

A good-sized crowd enjoyed Saturday's Katy Old Fashioned Christmas. The Mayor's Christmas Tree stands in front of City Hall - George Slaughter photo

By George Slaughter Santa Claus made an appearance at Thursday’s annual lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree at City Hall. On Saturday, a beautiful day weather-wise, he made a return visit to Katy, making two more appearances. The first was at the inaugural Pancakes with Santa, held Saturday morning at the Katy Fire Station, 1417 Avenue D. The second was at the annual Katy Old Fashioned Christmas, held downtown. Proceeds from the breakfast will be […]

Texas Fire Chiefs Honor Katy Fire Chief Russell Wilson

Facebook photo, courtesy Katy Fire Department

By George Slaughter AUSTIN—Since his arrival as Katy fire chief in 2016, Russell Wilson has been a busy man. He’s been active in the development of a second fire station that is slated to open later this year at Bell Patna Drive and Katy Mills Circle, near Katy Mills Mall. The station will be a three-bay, approximately 14,000 suare-foot structure. He’s supervised the grant application that will help the city pay for the hiring and […]

Groundbreaking for New Katy Fire Station Expected Early Next Month

By George Slaughter The Katy City Council Monday night selected Bass Construction Company to build the long-planned second Katy fire station. Mayor Chuck Brawner said the groundbreaking is expected early next month, with the station expected to open in October. The new station will have a guaranteed maximum price of $3,650,828. The new station is to be built at Bell Patna Drive and Katy Mills Circle, near Katy Mills Mall. It will be a three-bay, […]

Katy Fire Department Purchases a New Vehicle at Federal Government Surplus

Katy's new light medium tactical vehicle (LMTV) on display outside City Hall Monday night. (George Slaughter photo)

By George Slaughter The Katy Fire Department added a new truck to its fleet Monday—and at a big discount, too. The truck, a light medium tactical vehicle (LMTV), was built at the BAE Systems plant in Sealy. It has a 2.5-ton capacity and can be used to carry people and cargo. It has less than 3,000 miles on it. These trucks have been used in the recent hurricane recovery efforts. According to Military.com, this type […]

City to Apply for Another Fire Department Grant as it Accepts $2 Million Federal Grant

Mayor Chuck Brawner, center, honored Los Cucos Mexican Cafe Monday for its hosting a fundraiser in which Katy firefighters raised money for Special Olympics Texas. Fire Chief Russell Wilson is on left and Manuel Cabrera of the restaurant is at right. (George Slaughter photo)

By George Slaughter The Katy City Council Monday night adopted a resolution to formally accept a three-year Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant for the hiring and training of 16 new firefighters. The grant, for $2,181,579, is from the Federal Emergency Agency (FEMA), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. The grant is a key part of the city’s efforts to build its second fire station, which is to be […]

City of Katy Receives $2 Million Grant for New Firefighters

Pictured from From left to right, Lieutenant Carlos Valladares, Firemedic Edison Saunders, Firefighter Nick Bourdoumas, Firemedic Obayana Allen, Firemedic Kyle Fritsche, Mayor Pro Tem Durran Dowdle, Firefighter, Michael Ondurich, Mayor Chuck Branner, Engineer Operator Shay Theriot, Congressman McCaul, Captain Tom Walters, The Fire Chief Russell Wilson, Firemedic Adam Troncoso, Assistant Fire Chief Kenneth Parker, Engineer Operator Joe Villarreal, Firefighter Christian Kugler, Firemedic Krysten Lerchbacker.

By George Slaughter The City of Katy has been working to develop a second fire station. Now the city will receive a $2,181,579 federal grant to pay for the firefighters who will staff it. The grant, known as a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant, is awarded from the Department of Homeland Security. According to the FEMA web site, SAFER was “created to funding directly to five departments and volunteer firefighter interest […]