Message from Fire Chief Vontz

Pecan Grove Fire Department Residents,

As your Fire Chief, I want to bring to your attention an important matter that directly impacts on the safety and well-being of our community. We have recently submitted a request to increase the fire fee by $3.98 per month, bringing the total to $27.56 per month. This adjustment is necessary to support our proposed budget of $3.3 million for 2025.

To provide some context, the typical budget for a fire department serving an area and population like ours, Aliana, and Cinco Ranch, is approximately $4.5 million. This would translate into a monthly fire fee of $38.00 per month. Our proposed budget, while more conservative, is essential to maintaining the critical services we provide to our communities.

One of the key reasons for this increase is the need to sustain the minimum staffing of three firefighters per fire engine—a standard we implemented in mid-2024. Having three firefighters on each engine is crucial for effective firefighting, rescue operations, CPR, and all other emergency incidents that we respond to. While the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends a staffing level of four firefighters per engine, our current level of three is the minimum required to ensure both the safety of our firefighters and the effectiveness of our emergency response.

Maintaining this staffing level is also essential for preserving our ISO 2 fire rating. This rating plays a significant role in keeping homeowner insurance rates lower. For example, if our ISO rating were to drop to a 5, the annual insurance premium for a $300,000 home would increase to approximately $3,156. However, by maintaining our ISO 2 rating, that same policy would cost around $2,645—a savings of over $500. For a $500,000 home, the savings would be even greater, around $800 per year.

Another factor contributing to the need for this fee increase is the growing reliance on part-time paid firefighters. While we are actively working to increase our volunteer membership, it is not sufficient to meet the demands of our expanding and aging neighborhood. The need for dependable, trained personnel is more critical than ever, and part-time staffing helps fill this gap.
Additionally, Fort Bend County is eliminating financial support to all fire departments within the county. This significant loss in revenue unfortunately must be passed on to our residents to ensure that we can continue to provide the level of service you deserve and expect.

We understand that any increase in fees is a concern, but we believe this is a necessary step to ensure the safety of our community. The increase will allow us to continue providing the high-quality emergency services that protect our residents, homes, and businesses.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support of the Pecan Grove Fire Department. Together, we can maintain the safety and well-being of our wonderful community.

Sincerely,

Chief Jerod Vontz
Pecan Grove Volunteer Fire Department