FORT WORTH, TX – Oct. 9, 2025 – Tarrant County Emergency Services District No. 1 (TCESD 1) has announced the location for its second state-of-the-art fire and EMS station, which will be built concurrently with the previously announced station in the Eagle Mountain area. The new facility will be strategically located at the intersection of Bella Creek Parkway and State Highway 377, in an area known locally as "Whiskey Flats." This vital addition is a crucial step in fulfilling ESD 1’s commitment to significantly improving emergency response times and public safety across the rapidly growing unincorporated areas of the county.

The decision to establish a station in the “Whiskey Flats” area is driven by several pressing public safety concerns. The area, at the disjointed intersection of Highways 1187 and 377, has a very high incident rate of severe traffic accidents, demanding a rapid and specialized response. Furthermore, its proximity to recreational facilities at Lake Benbrook results in a high Emergency Medical Services (EMS) call rate, tragically highlighted by the 14 people who were struck by lightning this past spring. Finally, the growing number of very large housing developments with heavily treed brushy lots and limited access to water for fire fighting makes rapid fire suppression capabilities essential.

"This simultaneous investment in two strategically located fire stations—one near Eagle Mountain and now one at Bella Creek Parkway and 377—demonstrates that we’re trying to build a professional fire service that rivals any department in the State of Texas in EMS Service & Fire Protection and Tarrant County's unwavering commitment to its residents," said ESD Commissioner Fate Jones. "By addressing high-risk areas like the Whiskey Flats and growing Benbrook Lake communities, we're not just building stations; we’re reducing risk, saving time, and ultimately saving lives."

ESD Commissioner Anita Heiskell highlighted the detailed analysis that informed the site selection. "Our data clearly indicated that the ‘Whiskey Flats’ area is underserved and faces unique, severe hazards, from vehicle accidents to the structural fire risk in the large housing developments that lack robust water infrastructure," Commissioner Heiskell stated. "This new station is a proactive and necessary measure that ensures our response capabilities finally match the needs of this community."

Tarrant County ESD 1 Fire Chief and Executive Director Russell Shelley emphasized the operational impact of the new facility. "This station's location will dramatically cut down on our current response times to some of our most dangerous and high-volume call areas," Chief Shelley commented. "The dedicated resources placed here will provide rapid EMS care for incidents near Lake Benbrook, timely response to complex highway wrecks, and the specialized equipment needed to protect properties in the newer, water-poor developments. It’s a gamechanger for public safety in this sector of Tarrant County."

The Tarrant County Emergency Services District No. 1 (TCESD No. 1), previously known as the Tarrant County Rural Fire Prevention District, was formed in 1996. The TCESD No. 1 is responsible for providing fire and EMS ambulance services to the approximately 50,000 residents and 25,000 structures in the unincorporated areas of the county, which consists of approximately 183 square miles. TCESD No. 1 contracts with 17 fire departments for fire, mutual aid, and first responder coverage with 12 of those departments providing EMS ambulance response as well.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Chief Russell Shelley; russell.shelley@tarrantesd1.org; 682-463-7275