Georgetown Edition | February 2026

BY GRACIE WARHURST

Fire Station No. 8 to improve response times To address slowing response times and a rising call volume, the Georgetown Fire Department plans to construct Fire Station No. 8, remodel existing facilities and deploy more ambulances. What’s happening The city plans to open Fire Station No. 8 in 2028, Fire Chief John Sullivan said. Its location on Westinghouse Road and FM 1460 will bring service to a “dense area with high need,” Sullivan said. In the meantime, the city is working to remodel Fire Station No. 1 and construct a logistics facility to provide support for fire response operations. To improve response times along the Hwy. 29 corridor, plans include adding ambulances during high-volume periods, Sullivan said. The cause The department had 1,129 more responses in

Discounted rain barrels available

An increased demand

The Georgetown Fire Department has seen an increase in the number of calls requiring them to respond year over year as the population continues to grow.

+28.47%

Georgetown water customers can pur- chase 50-gallon rain barrels for almost $100 off through March 15. The specifics Georgetown Water Utility partnered with Rain Water Solutions, a company focused on water quality and conservation, to offer customers rain barrels for $78. Georgetown reserved 495 rain barrels— each valued at $170—through the partner- ship. All purchased rain barrels must be picked up on March 28. The why Rain barrels allow residents to collect water from their roof or gutters and use it for their lawns and plants, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

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SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

2025 than in 2024. This averaged out to about 80 responses per day last year. This demand has led to slower response times. In 2025, emergency response times averaged 10 minutes and 54 seconds in 90% of priority calls, which exceeds the department’s goal of nine minutes, Sullivan said.

SAVE THE DATE: MARCH 6 STATE OF THE DISTRICT

2026

GET TICKETS TODAY WWW.GEORGETOWNISD.ORG/SOTD

Student Showcases & State of the District address from Dr. Padavil, Superintendent

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GEORGETOWN EDITION

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