What is an Emergency Services District (ESD)?
Frequently asked questions and answers about emergency services districts (ESD):
http://safe-d.org/faqs.html
Requirements to Serve on an ESD
Extracted from
HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
TITLE 9. SAFETY
SUBTITLE B. EMERGENCIES
CHAPTER 775. EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICTS
Sec. 775.034 APPOINTMENT OF BOARD IN DISTRICT LOCATED WHOLLY IN ONE COUNTY.
(a) The commissioners court of a county in which a single-county district is located shall appoint a five-member board of emergency services commissioners to serve as the district's governing body. To serve as a member of the board a person must be:
(1) at least 18 years of age; and
(2) a resident citizen of the state and:
(A) a qualified voter within areas served by the district; or
(B) the owner of land subject to taxation in the district.
(b) Except as prescribed by Subsection (c), commissioners serve two-year terms.
(c) After the votes are canvassed and the commissioners court enters the order creating the district, the commissioners court shall appoint the initial emergency services commissioners to serve until January 1 of the year following the district election. On January 1, the court shall designate three of those emergency services commissioners to serve a two-year term and two of those emergency services commissioners to serve a one-year term.
(d) On January 1 of each year, the commissioners court shall appoint a successor for each emergency services commissioner whose term has expired.
Persons interested in becoming Commissioners on an ESD board should submit a letter and resume to the County Commissioners Court.
(g) The commissioners' court shall consider relevant factors in determining the individuals to appoint as emergency services commissioners, including whether the individuals have knowledge that relates to fire prevention or emergency medical services and that is relevant to the common policies and practices of the board.
ESD Establishment, Organization, & Operating Procedures
The following link to "HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE, TITLE 9. SAFETY, SUBTITLE B. EMERGENCIES, CHAPTER 775. EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICTS provides for the establishment, organization, and operating procedures of an ESD (Emergency Services District): http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/HS/htm/HS.775.htm
Guide to Operating an ESD
The following link is to "Emergency Services Guide" published by Texas Department of Rural Affairs is a "guide" to operating an ESD. It is intended as a summary of policies and procedures to provide an overview for ESD Commissioners. This document should not be considered a substitute for competent legal advice: https://texasagriculture.gov/Portals/0/Publications/RED/CDBG/ESD%20Operating%20Guide%20-%202013v3.pdf
Professional Organization for ESDs
The following link is to SAFE-D (Texas State Association of Fire and Emergency Districts). It is the "professional" organization for ESDs. Their mission is: To make Texans safer by supporting the men and women of emergency services districts in the state: http://safe-d.org/index.html
