Some positive ESD news

Yes, the headline is correct, I'm not writing a flame-throwing rant about the Johnson County Emergency Services District.  Let me tell you about some good things going on between the City of Joshua and the ESD for a change.

Over the last several months representatives from our city and the ESD have worked hard to rebuild relationships that had become stretched to the breaking point over the last few years.  Joshua Fire Chief, Wayne Baker and ESD Director, Mike Johnston, have certainly championed these efforts and much credit is due.

About a month ago Joshua rejoined the ESD dispatch service which made good improvements in communication.  The ESD has also included Joshua in available funds for gear and staffing which are great uses of taxpayer funds.  The latest notable in-road is the ESD is using our fire station to house it's Engine 290 over night.  E-290 is one of two full-time, daytime, staffed engine companies that operate in the county now.  This one is primarily covering the western side of the county and during the day operates from newly purchased property with a building used as an office about 5 miles from the Joshua Fire Station.  Chief Baker speaks highly of these guys in their professionalism and dedication and for that I am excited.  It sounds like they frequently spend their lunch money in town here too so, thanks guys!  They have begun responding to calls with our own firefighters in our city when available which is a great benefit to our citizens.  The more first responders available, the better!  I'm happy that we've been able to accommodate storing the engine overnight so they don't have to move it back and forth to Cleburne where it was previously stored at the ESD facilities.  Out of the ESD meeting last night it was reported to me that they are apparently holding off on any rush to build a station at that new location until seeing how things may work out with Joshua.  I think that's prudent.  Now with the ESD engine, a CareFlite ambulance and our own apparatus under one roof we're becoming quite the little melting pot of emergency service collaboration.  It's hard to say at this point where the relationship between our entities may go, but it's nice to be working together amicably.

On a related note the new Joshua Fire Station construction is making progress, but has had a lot of rain related setbacks.  They are finally getting close to pouring the foundation which will allow things to get moving faster.  Pick up some lunch this weekend at one of our local restaurants and then drive down Main St. and check it out. You'll be right by the park so stop in and have a picnic.

A.J.