By George Slaughter Katy residents and friends will celebrate the annual National Night Out, which is set for 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at the Katy Play Station and Pavilion at Katy City Park, 5611 Gardenia Lane. Katy has held an event for the past several years. Katy’s first responders will be there to meet and greet the public, with food and beverages served. The forecast calls for clear and comfortable weather, and the public is encouraged […]
Katy Fire Department
City Appoints Parker Fire Chief
By George Slaughter The Katy City Council Monday appointed Kenneth Parker as permanent fire chief. Parker had served as interim fire chief since last October, when former chief Russell “Rusty” Wilson took a similar position with the Mesquite Fire Department. “I’m excited,” Parker said in an interview. “I have been here in Katy and seen the growth. I feel very blessed to be given the opportunity to be chief for this city.” Parker said his […]
Katy Professional Firefighters Association Raises, Awards Scholarship Money at Pancakes with Santa Event
By George Slaughter Santa Claus brought lovely weather for the second annual Pancakes with Santa, sponsored by the Katy Professional Firefighters Association Saturday morning at the Katy Fire Department, 1417 Avenue D. But the association brought checks for its first two scholarship recipients. Proceeds from the breakfast pay for a Katy Independent School District student to attend EMT school, the fire academy, or paramedic school. At Saturday’s breakfast, the first two scholarships, for $2,000 each, […]
State, Insurance Officials Salute City’s Class 1 Insurance rating
By George Slaughter State and insurance officials Monday honored the City of Katy for achieving a Class 1/1X ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating, which Katy officials expect will help local homeowners and businesses save money on insurance thanks to improved fire protection. Jesse Williams, a public protection classification officer with the state fire marshal’s office, and Hugh Gibson, ISO community hazard mitigation manager, presented the plaques to Mayor Bill Hastings and Wilson on behalf of […]
Katy Fire Department’s Improved Class Rating Could Mean Lower Insurance Bills
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 Honors Firefighters for Saving Drowning Child
By George Slaughter The City of Katy honored firefighters Monday night for their efforts in saving a drowning child. On Sunday, March 3 at 6:33 p.m., dispatch received a 911 call for a drowning three-year-old male at the Homewood Suites pool. The Katy Fire Department responded out of Fire Station #2 and arrived at the hotel pool in just 47 seconds. Firefighters and EMS immediately performed CPR and was able to revive the child. The […]
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 […]
City to Purchase New Aerial Ladder Fire Truck
By George Slaughter The Katy City Council Monday night authorized up to $1.5 million in financing for the purchase of a new aerial ladder fire truck and related equipment for the Katy Fire Department. The new truck is expected within 10 months. Assistant Fire Chief Kenny Parker said the current unit, built in 2004, is now in the shop awaiting parts that had to be manufactured because the engine is an older model. Last year, […]
December in Katy Brings Pancakes with Santa, Old Fashioned Christmas Festival
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 […]
Katy Firefighters Raise Money for Special Olympics Texas
By George Slaughter Katy firefighters are known for their firefighting and emergency medical technician skills. They’re also becoming known for their volunteer skills in charitable fundraising. Friday night at Los Cucos Mexican Restaurant, 5831 Highway Blvd., firefighters volunteered as waitstaff in the third annual “Tip a Firefighter” event. For the 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. lunch shift, and for the dinner shift 5–8 p.m. dinner shift, Katy firefighters, accompanied by Special Olympics athletes, stopped by […]