By Dennis Spellman – Covering Katy
The newly formed Harris County Emergency Services District 48 Fire Department has gained access to three fire stations and several vehicles formerly used by the West I-10 Fire Department. The access will remain until there is a final resolution to a dispute over who controls the assets.
On Monday, the judge in the 215th District Court of Harris County ruled on a Temporary Injunction filed by both parties in the dispute between West I-10 Volunteer Fire Department and HCESD 48.
The ruling stipulates that HCESD 48 assumes control of the vehicles for which it holds the titles and that it may temporarily have control of Fire Stations 3, 4, and 5 as well as the assets contained within those stations.
West I-10 Volunteer Fire Department maintains control of its remaining assets, including two fire stations and multiple vehicles.
The ruling remains in effect until the dispute goes to trial, which is scheduled for May 31, 2016.
Until recently HCESD 48 contracted with the West I-10 Fire Department. Their long running relationship ended on a sour note and a big dispute over who owns the fire trucks, equipment, ambulances, fire stations and other important assets.
HCESD 48 recently began providing fire and ambulance service with borrowed fire trucks, and a borrowed fire station. The judges decision eases some of the new department’s needs, but a large number of fire department assets remain in the control of the West I-10 Fire Department which has been left with no contract to serve any territory.
“The judge’s decision to let HCESD 48’s termination of our agreement stand, pending the outcome of the trial is a temporary setback for the people of the greater Katy area,” said West I-10 Volunteer Fire Department Board President Captain Jose Ramirez. “HCESD 48 has elected not to utilize our services, and their service delivery will continue to suffer as a result,” he added.
HCESD 48 is not commenting.