From the Chief – July 2026
July was another busy month for Salado Fire | Bell County ESD #1, and I want to begin by thanking our firefighters, volunteers, staff, and community for their continued dedication and support.
During July, our department responded to 163 calls for service. Traffic and transportation accidents were our most common call type, followed by falls, sick-person calls, grass and wildland fires, unconscious/fainting emergencies, alarms, fire department assists, traumatic injuries, chest pain calls, and vehicle fires.
Behind those numbers are real people and real emergencies. Our personnel continue to train and prepare so that when you call, we're ready.
Preparing for Fire Season
As we move into the later summer months, drought conditions and dry vegetation continue to increase the potential for grass and wildland fires. Our crews have been spending significant time training, checking equipment, and preparing for the challenges that fire season can bring.
We also need your help.
A few simple decisions can prevent a small spark from becoming a major incident:
Avoid outdoor burning during dry, windy conditions and always check current burn restrictions.
Never throw cigarettes or other smoking materials from a vehicle.
Avoid parking or driving vehicles through tall, dry grass. Hot exhaust components can ignite vegetation.
Use extra caution when welding, grinding, cutting metal, mowing, or using equipment that can create sparks.
Keep trailers properly maintained. Dragging chains can create sparks along roadways.
Maintain defensible space around your home by removing dead vegetation, leaves, brush, and other combustible materials.
Don't leave outdoor fires, grills, fire pits, or burn piles unattended.
If you see smoke or fire that appears uncontrolled, call 911 early. Don't assume someone else has already reported it.
Stay Connected With Us
If you aren't following Salado Fire | Bell County ESD #1 on social media, I encourage you to do so.
We are working hard to give our community a closer look at what your department does—not only during emergencies, but through training, prevention, community education, and preparation. You'll also find important safety information, department updates, community programs, incident information, and opportunities to get involved.
Our goal is not simply to respond when something goes wrong. We want to work alongside our community to help prevent emergencies before they happen.
Thank you for continuing to support the men and women of Salado Fire | Bell County ESD #1. Please stay safe, stay aware of the conditions around you, and help us protect the community we all call home.
Chief Jim Franz
Salado Fire | Bell County ESD #1
Comments