Eagle Pass Fire Department holds Pre-Construction Meeting of New Fire Station

By:  Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal

Eagle Pass’ bustling growth requires that the City of Eagle Pass modernize and expand its fire-fighting and emergency medical services by having to build a new Fire Department Station and Training Facility, announced Eagle Pass Fire Department Chief Jesus Rodriguez.

The Eagle Pass Fire Department held a meeting on Thursday, January 9, 2014 to discuss the plans for the construction of the new Eagle Pass Fire Station to be located on South Monroe Street adjacent to the National Guard Armory Building, which is being renovated and remodeled into the new Eagle Pass Police Department headquarters.  The City of Eagle Pass and Maverick County’s continued growth requires that the City build a larger fire department station as well as a fire prevention training and development facility.

During the meeting, Eagle Pass Fire Department officers and City officials discussed the needs and space requirements for the new fire station and training facility.  Also discussed was the equipment and technology required to operate and manage the new fire station and the financial construction budget for the overall project.

The Eagle Pass City Council unanimously approved the issuance of $8,485,000(million) in tax exempt obligations or bonds for improvements to municipal buildings, infrastructure, street and construction projects, and programs at their special meeting held on Tuesday, October 22, 2013.

The $8.485 Million Bonds will be used to pay for certain City of Eagle Pass projects including the paving of streets, improving the water drainage system, renovations to city buildings, and improving city parks and facilities. Specifically, $2.3 Million will be used for street paving projects, $1.3 Million will go to repairing and improving water drainage projects, $1 Million will be for renovating the Eagle Pass Public Library, $2 Million will be for renovation of the National Armory Building as the new headquarters of the Eagle Pass Police Department, $500,000 is for renovation of the Eagle Pass Fire Department Central Fire Station and the construction of a new fire station, and the remainder is for improvements to City Hall, the Recycling Center, City Parks, and Community Centers.

Eagle Pass Fire Chief Jesus Rodriguez stated that the meeting also discussed architectural plans with the construction companies and engineers that are interested in constructing the new fire station and police department as well.

“We met with all those involved to discuss and provide a brief outline of what the Fire Department is looking for in the new fire station and the training tower as well. We were fortunate that city council approved some funds for the construction of these two projects. We will begin the construction of the new fire station this year,” said Fire Chief Rodriguez.

Fire Chief Rodriguez also stated that the City’s Fire Department also will replace 10 air packs at a cost of $6,000 each and looks forward to the construction of the new fire station and training facility in 2014.

Recent population growth and economic development projects have strained the Eagle Pass Fire Department causing the need for larger facilities and the latest fire fighting and emergency medical services equipment and training.  The expansion of the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino and Hotel Resort, the increased international railroad traffic and trade between Mexico and United States, the increased development of the Eagle Ford Shale oil and gas drilling boom, the future opening of the Dos Republicas Coal Partnership open surface coal mine, increased commercial highway traffic, and overall population growth are among the reasons for the Eagle Pass Fire Department to keep pace with the community’s growth.