About Hutto Fire Rescue
Original versions of a volunteer fire department have existed in the Hutto area since shortly after the city was founded in 1911. In 1982, The Hutto Community Volunteer Fire Department (HCVFD) was founded. Since that time, the department has grown from an all volunteer department into a combination paid / volunteer department. The transition from volunteer to combination has been driven by explosive population increases throughout the area. In 2002, the HCVFD began paying off-duty firefighters from other local fire departments to staff the station during the day in 12 hour shifts. At night, volunteer members of the department continued to respond to all emergency calls. In 2005, the Hutto Community Volunteer Fire Department changed its name to Hutto Fire Rescue to reflect its changing capabilities, responsibilities, and role in the community. That same year, 24 hour staffing began with one engine being staffed by two firefighters. By 2006, staffing was increased to 3 firefighters per day. By the end of 2007, staffing had increased to 5, with 3 firefighters on one engine, and 2 more firefighters on a squad. There are 3 full-time fire Lieutenants employed by the district and they work 24 hours on, 48 hours off. The remaining firefighters are used on a rotating basis as needed to ensure the 5 firefighter per day staffing. The district also employs one full time administrative liason, a part-time Inspector, and a part-time Fire Chief.
In 2005, the district call volume increased 42%; from 489 to 688 calls. This increase in call volume has continued to grow as the community has grown, and by the end of 2007 just over 1,000 annual requests for emergency services from Hutto Fire Rescue were received. Hutto Fire Rescue responds to all fires, motor vehicle collisions, and emergency medical situations in our Fire District (which extends past the city limits). EMS is provided by Williamson County EMS. At this time, there is an ambulance slated to be staffed full-time in Hutto (housed in the fire station). When staffing levels within the county allow, that unit is staffed. If not, EMS units in Taylor or Round Rock respond to Hutto. All Hutto Fire Rescue Paid and Relief Staff firefighters are trained to at least the Emergency Medical Technician level. An overwhelming majority of the time, we are the first on the scene in the event of a medical emergency.
Hutto Fire Rescue serves a 63 square mile area which has experienced massive population growth. As of the 2000 US Census; Hutto had a population of 1250 persons with an estimated population in our coverage area of under 5,000. At the end of 2005 the City of Hutto has over 12,000 and our service area is estimated at over 39,000. This growth is driven in large part by the construction of State Highway 130 (SH130) thru Hutto. SH130 parallels the IH-35 corridor which runs thru Austin and Central Texas. Hutto/Williamson County is recognized as one of the fastest growing areas in Texas. This growth trend is not expected to slow for 5 to 10 years.
