FIRST SOME HISTORY

When KVFD was founded, back around 1951, the needs of the area were simple. The coverage was almost entirely rural and the fires were either grass fires or barn fires. The department existed on the donations of the farmers around the area and to some extent on the private funds the members contributed to maintain the equipment and buy gas. The budget during these years seldom exceeded $5,000.

As the area grew, and residential properties and subdivisions moved out from downtown, it became necessary to have organized fund raising activities to support the expanding needs of the fire department. Land for new stations was usually donated and subdivision homeowners associations helped fund some of the earliest stations. The rest of the money was collected by donations to the department, door to door fund drives and an annual BBQ and auction. The BBQ and auction were so important that a position on the Board of Directors was created to make sure the event was properly organized each year. Over half of the department’s budget was generated during this event. By 1980 the budget had reached a yearly total of $100,000. At about same time the volunteer fire departments in the area persuaded the local Municipal Utility Districts to add a voluntary donation to the monthly water bills. This greatly increased the amount of money the departments received and it stabilized the funding for several years. 

In 1982 KVFD recognized that the rapidly expanding growth was out striping the water board donations and other sources of revenue. The area was shifting from a rural to urban community very quickly. In 1983 Klein held an election which established a Rural Fire Prevention District (16). The RFPD had the ability to levy a tax rate of up to $0.03 per $100 of assessed value. The tax amounted to about $40 per year for an average home in the district. The influx of new funds did not come a moment to early. The fire department was behind in equipment purchases and the first few years saw the purchase of 5 new trucks and the building of a central station just to catch up to the expanding needs of the community.

OPERATIONS TODAY

Budget requirements have grown as the KVFD area has expanded to its current population of 70,000 residents and 50 square miles. Once again the area has taken a sharp up turn in population and home building. The Fire Department’s 1999 budget reflects this rapid growth and now exceeds $1.4 M.

SOURCES OF CURRENT FUNDING FOR KVFD
 

 EXPENDITURES

About 15% of the non capital, operating budget goes toward salaries for the Public Fire Educator, Department Secretary, and the day time paid firefighters who work for the department on a part time bases. The heavy involvement of our volunteer members keeps the overall salary expenditures to a minimum. This allows more money to be directed toward equipment and supplies directly effecting fire suppression in the district. The Chief, Tactical officers, KVFD Board Members and volunteers receive no compensation for their services or time.

WHAT THINGS COST

The cost of fire suppression equipment and supplies has taken a dramatic jump as new NFPA standards take affect. A few examples are listed below: 

For the Firefighter

• Bunker Pants $350
• Bunker Coat $400
• Boots $100
• Helmet $150
• Gloves $35
• Airpack (SCBA) $2500
• Pager $400

Total for one fully equipped fire fighter on scene $3935…. Klein has 100 firefighters.

Fire Trucks

• Standard Pumper $200,000
• Ladder Truck $450,000
• Equipment Truck $200,000

Klein operates 14 apparatus including two ladder trucks.

Equipment on a Pumper

• Hose, nozzles, fans ax, lights, radios, etc. $19,000 per truck

If all the hose carried on all the apparatus operated by Klein were stretched end to end it would be over four miles in length.

THE FUTURE

It is estimated that approximately 10,000 new homes will be added in the Fire District in the next 3 years. There has also been a rapid expansion of apartment buildings along the major streets such as Cypresswood, Louetta and FM 1960. These new apartment complexes will double the number of residents living in multiple family dwellings within in the District in just a few years.

The Fire District has stretched its available funding as far as it can. Even with increasing property values revenues may be insufficient at current tax rates to cover the high initial investments required to expand fire stations and pumper fleets. The RFPD Board of Directors and Klein Fire Department are working together to insure adequate funding will be available to maintain the current level of service enjoyed by all the residents of the Fire District new and old.

In the next Chief’s Corner we will get to know what it’s like to be a volunteer in KVFD.