09/10/2026
Why did the Grapevine Fire Department replace the engine at Station 1 with a squad company?
When you think of fire and rescue response, a fire engine may be the first vehicle that comes to mind. Yet it isn’t always the vehicle needed most at emergency scenes—especially for medical emergencies. Today, the majority of calls to the Grapevine Fire Department—71%—are for EMS responses rather than fires.
While engines are essential for structure fires, they are costly to operate and are not needed for all emergencies. These specialized vehicles cost over $1.5 million to purchase, require three people to operate, and come with extensive maintenance expenses each year. Even though these trucks are fully equipped to respond to medical calls, an ambulance is still required to transport patients to a hospital.
By replacing the engine at Station 1 with a squad company and adding a fourth ambulance to the Fire Department, the department can improve its response times for medical emergencies while still meeting the city’s fire safety needs. The new squad company is staffed with a captain and a Firefighter Paramedic, enabling it to handle the majority of EMS calls, taking pressure off the ladder truck at Station 1.
Meanwhile, Stations 2, 3, and 4 will each retain a fire engine and an ambulance, and Station 5 is equipped with a ladder truck, ambulance, and Scorpion blocker— a specialized safety vehicle equipped with a rear-mounted crash cushion (attenuator), used to prevent traffic accidents and improve roadside safety at accident sites.
Based on early data, we believe this solution will meet our citizens' needs while reducing costs to taxpayers and the City of Grapevine.
