City Lifestyle

Want to start a publication?

Learn More

Featured Article

Driven to Serve and Protect

Cy-Fair Fire Department Looks to Future Growth and Service

Article by Kaylee Dusang

Photography by Courtesy of Cy-Fair Fire Department

Originally published in Cypress Lifestyle

For more than five decades, Cy-Fair Fire Department has maintained its mission to serve the community and save lives. Beginning as a rural volunteer fire department in 1962, the agency has become one of the largest combination fire departments in the United States. Covering approximately 164 square miles, an area larger than Corpus Christ, the fire department operates from 13 stations and employs more than 500 personnel. "Cy-Fair Fire Department has always been committed to making a positive impact through professionalism and dedication,” Assistant Chief Mike Clements said. “Over the years, we’ve grown alongside the community, continuously adapting to meet its needs.”

Cy-Fair firefighters respond to a wide range of emergency situations, from natural disasters and wildfires to vehicle crashes and search and rescue missions. Personnel within the department respond to an average of 105 calls per day and more than 38,000 calls annually. 81% of those calls are Emergency Medical Services (EMS) related. However, the fire department’s service extends beyond emergency response. The agency remains involved in the community through its public services, such as providing station tours and basic fire education, and delivering fire, health, and safety messages to local schools, churches, and organizations. Cy-Fair firefighters present a variety of safety programs like CPR presentations, kid's and adult safety classes, car seat installs, and safety messaging via social media.

The department provides employment opportunities, advises local leaders on issues, and keeps highways safe and traffic flowing. As part of their vision for future growth, the fire department invests in the latest technologies and methods to provide the most efficient emergency response. This includes the recent completion of Station 6 and six more proposed stations as well as the implementation of specialized training and new equipment. “Whether through improved training programs, updated equipment, or expanding our services, we remain focused on delivering the highest level of emergency response and support,” Clements said.

Cy-Fair Fire Department operates under Harris County Emergency Services District Number 9, a taxing district that supports and provides local emergency services, such as fire protection and EMS. The district, led by a board of five commissioners, is often more cost effective than a municipal fire department. It is funded by property taxes based on residential and commercial appraisals and serves a population of more than 600,000 that continues to grow each year. And yet the district maintains the lowest tax rate among the 12 area ESDs.

In 2023, Cy-Fair Fire Department was recognized as number one in the nation for customer service among large agencies by EMS Survey Team, further demonstrating their commitment to deliver exceptional fire and EMS services in Northwest Harris County. “Our goal is to ensure that we not only protect our residents but actively contribute to a safer and healthier community every day," Clements said. cyfairfd.org

Businesses featured in this article