Study recommends $95.5 million investment into Houston Fire Department

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A new study by the International Association of Firefighters claims the Houston department needs tens of millions of taxpayer dollars to ensure people in emergencies can get the help they need.

The study takes a close look at Houston and finds that the number of calls for emergency services boomed between 2018 and 2024 as the population grew, and the resources we have can't keep up.

"We don't have enough resources, and we have got to invest and add ambulances and fire trucks and stations to the city of Houston," President of the Houston Professional Fire Fighter Association Marty Lancton said.

The study found that over 200 incidents occurred in the last 200 days of the study period when no medic units were available.

Documents recommend more than doubling the current number of ambulances by adding 65 units across the city and building 10 new fire stations among the existing 93.

Lancton said it costs around $700,000 to run one ambulance for one year, and costs around $5 and $10 million to build a new firehouse. A conservative estimate puts the cost at $95.5 million to fulfill the wish list, but Lancton said that, when it comes to saving lives, it's a necessary cost.

"They are real investments that have to be focused on, and we want to have those dialogues and conversations in an open way with the public," Lancton said.

The study shows that if you call 911, the goal is for a fire truck or ambulance to arrive in 4 minutes. A map from the study shows that in large swaths of Houston, that goal is not being met and that it can take twice as long to get a fire truck or ambulance to you.

"We live it every day, we know that there are real challenges, and we're working towards fixing them," Lancton said.

ABC13 reached out to the mayor, who said he questions the timing of this report and feels it does not reflect recent reorganization and audits since he took office in 2024, after the study concluded.

The study was presented at a safety committee meeting on Tuesday, and while it generated a lot of conversation at this time, there isn't a guarantee new firehouses or EMS units are coming for the fire department, though the union said they plan to continue engaging with council members and the public.