East Montgomery County Fire Department

06/02/2026

A Great Lunch and a Great Community Partner

Today, the crew at East County Fire Department was treated to an amazing lunch courtesy of Jesse's Burgers and Shakes at the Hwy 242 Food Truck Park.

We spend a lot of time talking about emergency response, training, and serving our community, but moments like this remind us that we are part of an incredible community that supports us every step of the way.

A big thank you to Jesse's Burgers and Shakes for taking the time to stop by and feed our firefighters. The food was outstanding, but the gesture meant even more. Support from local businesses helps keep morale high and reminds our crews that the community they serve stands behind them.

Please join us in thanking Jesse's Burgers and Shakes for their generosity and support of the men and women of East County Fire Department.

Thank you for having our backs. We truly appreciate it.

05/19/2026

Training never stops. Here’s a look at some recent Rope Rescue training conducted alongside the Porter Fire Department. It’s always a great opportunity to train with our neighboring ESDs, strengthen coordination, and sharpen the skills that matter when lives are on the line.

05/03/2026

Units responded to a report of a vehicle off a bridge into a creek. Ladder 151, Engine 155, Rescue 121, and Montgomery County Hospital District were dispatched and responded.

Upon arrival, crews experienced difficulty locating the patient due to a dense tree canopy and the driver being unsure of his exact location. After locating the vehicle in the creek below the bridge, personnel initiated a technical rescue.

Crews established a rope and pulley system, utilizing the ladder truck to safely extricate the driver from the creek bed back up to the bridge. The patient was then transferred to EMS for evaluation.

We appreciate the assistance from Porter Fire Department and Montgomery County Hospital District in bringing this incident to a safe conclusion.

Thank you David Evans for the video.

Special mention to The woodlands FireCom dispatchers for the diligence in actually locating the accident

04/23/2026

We’re proud to partner with Commissioner Matt Gray, Montgomery County Precinct 4 to help take care of our seniors by installing smoke detectors throughout the community.

Our crews were excited to get out and serve, and we appreciate Commissioner Gray’s leadership in organizing the list and helping us reach those who need it most.

If you are on the list through Commissioner Matt Gray office, we’ve completed our second round of installs and will be reaching out soon to schedule your home.

Protecting our community starts at home, and we’re honored to be part of that mission.

04/16/2026

It’s 2:13 AM.

You’re asleep.
The house is quiet.

Then...
beep… beep… beep…

Do you know what to do next?

Not what you think you’d do…
What you’ve actually planned to do.

Because in a real fire, you don’t rise to the occasion,
you fall back on what you’ve practiced.

At East Montgomery County Fire Department, we see it all the time:

Families without a plan.
Smoke detectors that don’t work.
Seconds lost… that can’t be recovered.

Here’s the difference between close call and catastrophe:

✔️ Working smoke detectors in every bedroom and hallway
✔️ A clear escape plan with two ways out
✔️ A meeting spot outside—no exceptions

It takes 10 minutes to prepare.
It can save your life in under 2.

Don’t wait for Fire Prevention Week to think about it.

Make the plan.
Test the alarm.
Have the conversation.

Tonight.

🚒 East Montgomery County Fire Department

04/06/2026

Ladder 151 Has Arrived... Raising the Standard for Service in ESD7

The East Montgomery County Fire Department is proud to announce the arrival of Ladder 151, now in service at Station 151.

This isn’t just a new truck, it’s a major investment in capability, safety, and the future of our community.

Ladder trucks play a critical role in modern fire service operations. From elevated rescues and roof access to large structure fires and complex emergency scenes, Ladder 151 expands our ability to respond quickly, operate effectively, and protect both lives and property.

As our community continues to grow, so do the demands placed on emergency services. Ladder 151 ensures that ESD7 remains ahead of that growth, not behind it.

More importantly, this apparatus enhances firefighter safety by providing the tools and reach necessary to operate smarter and more efficiently on scene.

Equipment like Ladder 151 isn’t purchased for today, it’s purchased for the emergencies we haven’t faced yet.

This addition reflects a continued commitment to:
✔️ Professional service
✔️ Strategic planning
✔️ Responsible investment in public safety

When you see Ladder 151 on the road or on scene, know this:

It’s there because your fire department is prepared.

This is your fire department. This is your investment at work.

03/24/2026

We're Protecting the Community Before the Emergency Happens

Today at the EMC Senior Center, East County Fire Department Chief Howard Rinewalt spoke with residents about fire safety, emergency preparedness, and an important new initiative designed to make our community even safer.

In this video, Chief Rinewalt explains the Community Risk Reduction Plan, a proactive strategy focused on identifying potential hazards, educating residents, and reducing emergencies before they occur.

This effort is made possible through a strong partnership between ESD7 and Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray, working together to ensure that resources, education, and safety programs reach the people who need them most.

Community Risk Reduction is about more than responding to fires, it’s about preventing them, protecting lives, and strengthening the safety of our entire community.

Programs like this help ensure that East Montgomery County remains a safer place to live, work, and raise a family.

▶️ Watch Chief Rinewalt explain how this program will help protect our community.

03/16/2026

Did You Know? Your Fire Department Rating Can Affect Your Insurance Rates.

Most people don’t realize that fire departments across the country are evaluated and rated based on their ability to respond to fires and protect the community.

This evaluation is conducted by the Insurance Services Office (ISO), which assigns what’s called a Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating.

The ratings range from 1 to 10:

🔥 Class 1 – Highest level of fire protection
🔥 Class 10 – Minimal fire protection

These ratings are based on several important factors, including:

• Fire department staffing and training
• Fire station locations and response capability
• Equipment and apparatus
• Water supply and hydrant systems
• Emergency communications and dispatch

Why does this matter?

Because insurance companies often use ISO ratings when calculating homeowner insurance premiums.

In many cases, a better ISO rating can help residents pay less for fire insurance, because it indicates a community has strong fire protection services in place.

Departments work hard to improve and maintain these ratings through training, equipment upgrades, water infrastructure improvements, and strong emergency response systems.

It’s one more way your local firefighters work behind the scenes to help protect both lives and property in our community.

East Montgomery County Fire Department
More Than Just a Fire Department.

03/07/2026

Big week at the firehouse.

• Our new Type 3 wildland engine was sent out for final upfitting and will be in service soon, strengthening our wildland response capability.

• We received our new wildland dozer, made possible through a partnership with Pct. 4 Commissioner Matt Gray. Thank you to the ESD 7 Board and Commissioner Gray for your visionary leadership and commitment to putting our community first.

• Our new fleet mechanic hit the ground running — saving the department approximately $15,000 in labor costs in his first week by completing repairs in-house.

• Chief Rinewalt had the honor of attending the EMCSA Opening Ceremony to help kick off the baseball and softball season and support the youth of our community.

Progress like this doesn’t happen without strong partnerships, dedicated personnel, and a board that prioritizes public safety. Proud of the direction we’re heading and the team making it happen every day.

03/05/2026