ESD9 Unveils New Equipment for the Round Rock Fire Department Wildlands Team
Big News for Wildfire Safety in Williamson County!
Williamson County Emergency Services District No. 9 (ESD9) recently made a powerful investment in our community’s safety—unveiling a brand-new fleet of cutting-edge wildland firefighting equipment for the Round Rock Fire Department (RRFD) Wildland Team.
As one of the fastest-growing areas in Texas, Williamson County faces heightened wildfire threats due to rapid development, dry seasons, and increasing population density. This upgraded gear is a major boost to our firefighting capabilities, ensuring our first responders are equipped with the latest technology to act quickly, efficiently, and safely when wildfires strike.
This new fleet was thoughtfully chosen to meet the evolving demands of wildland fire response. It represents a vital investment in protecting lives, property, and the safety of our communities.
We’re proud to work hand-in-hand with local agencies like the Round Rock Fire Department to keep our communities safe, prepared, and resilient.
Read more about this exciting development in Community Impact : https://communityimpact.com
Watch Fox 7 Austin’s coverage of the RRFD Unveiling its New Wildland Firefighting Equipment.
See the Round Rock Fire Department Wildlands Team Reaction to Their New Equipment!
Williamson County Emergency Services District No. 9 (ESD9) rolled out a new fleet of specialized wildland firefighting equipment for the Sam Bass Fire Department (SBFD) , to strengthen emergency response in wildland and WUI environments. The deployment includes a Can-Am two-row UTV designed for wildland access, a 4x4 command and support vehicle, and a custom dual-purpose trailer. The trailer is designed both for transporting specialized firefighting equipment and serving as a firefighter recovery unit during operations. These additions, building on equipment ESD9 provided to Round Rock Fire Department last year, show a continued investment in wildfire preparedness across Williamson County. “As ESD9 and Williamson County continue to grow, so does the complexity of our emergency response environment,” said ESD9 Commissioner Alan Forster. “ESD9 is committed to ensuring our service providers are equipped not just to respond, but to operate effectively in increasingly challenging wildland-urban interface conditions.” ESD9 continues to focus on training, equipment, and preparedness initiatives aimed at ensuring partner fire departments have the resources needed to respond safely and effectively to evolving wildfire risks and emergency response demands in Williamson County. Meet the Latest Additions to the SBFD Fleet 👇
In honor of our 20-year partnership with the Round Rock Fire Department (RRFD), ESD9 Commissioners presented challenge coins to every member of the department during their annual banquet to commemorate two decades of shared dedication and achievement in mitigating fire risk throughout Williamson County. Over the past 20 years, this partnership has strengthened emergency response capabilities, enhanced firefighter safety, and helped protect thousands of residents and businesses. “The challenge coins commemorate our deep appreciation for RRFD’s unwavering commitment, professionalism, and service to our community,” said Alan Forster, ESD9 Commissioner. “We look forward to continuing this strong partnership for many years to come.”
Voters living in Williamson County Emergency Services District No. 9 (ESD9) on May 3 overwhelmingly cast their ballots in favor of a sales tax measure that promises to fund the operation and improvement of fire and emergency services in the county, now and into the future. “The support for this measure is a testament to the importance that those living in our community place on the services we support and coordinate,” said Michael Garcia, President of the ESD9 Board of Commissioners. “What this represents is an investment in the future of crucial services in the ESD9 area. Especially as Williamson County continues to grow and thrive, the importance of maintaining and upgrading these services cannot be overstated." The sales tax measure authorizes ESD9 to receive up to 2% in local sales and use tax in all areas in which the rate had not already been set at the state maximum of 8.25%. The revenue from this measure will go directly to the strategic planning of fire and emergency services in the area, the purchase and maintenance of cutting-edge equipment, and the proactive training of fire and emergency personnel – empowering these responders with the resources they need so that residents receive the highest level of fire protection. Read the full press release on PR Newswire: 👉 Williamson County ESD 9 Voters Support Investment in Future of Fire, EMS Services
