AUSTIN — Efforts to beef up Kendall County’s volunteer fire departments continue to draw accolades from officials, including a statewide cooperative of county governments.
The latest praise is coming from the Texas Association of Counties, which is awarding Kendall County and the Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department one of its 11 County Best Practices Awards.
Presented every two years, the awards highlight effective initiatives and recognize counties for creative, practical approaches to local government challenges and improved services, officials said.
Kendall County and Bergheim VFD are being recognized for “closing daytime emergency-response gaps in a rural volunteer fire system,” according to a notice.
The Texas Association of Counties cited Bergheim for improving staffing and response times by combining volunteer firefighters and paid staff.
“The model provides 24/7 station- based staffing for the first time in the department’s history, improving readiness and reducing response delays,” according to a release from TAC. “By expanding capacity without the cost of a fully staffed department, Kendall County has created a practical, sustainable model for improving rural public safety.”
The recipients will be formally recognized at an upcoming Kendall County Commissioners Court meeting, officials said.
“Counties are the government closest to the people. They are constitutionally created to provide essential services and do so in a transparent, fiscally responsible way,” said TAC executive director Susan M. Redford. “This year’s award recipients show how counties are meeting their responsibilities with creativity and a strong commitment to their communities.”
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