HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8830INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
" SUBJECT: Fire Station at Fort Worth Spinks Airport
No. 8830
March 20, 2007
Page 1 of 2
This Informal Report is being provided to update you on the status of the construction of a fire station at
Fort Worth Spinks Airport.
Background
The City of Fort Worth continues to expand in all directions, including to the south. With this expansion
comes the need to provide additional resources in the form of fire and EMS. The City of Fort Worth Fire
Department has set a goal to respond to an incident within five minutes at least 75% of the time. With the
increasing population to the south, the Fire Department has begun to evaluate the possibility of adding an
additional fire station near, or located on, Fort Worth Spinks Airport. Without increasing the number of
stations to keep pace with the increasing population, the Fire Department will not be able to continue
achieving its response time goal. Because of its location near I -35 and Hwy 1187, Spinks Airport offers
an excellent opportunity for the addition of another fire station.
Discussion
Staff members from the Department of Aviation and the Fire Department have met on several occasions
to discuss the possibility of constructing a new fire station facility on Spinks Airport. At this time, there
are several issues that still need to be further evaluated:
Type of Facility:
Fire stations located on airports are typically required to be configured for Airport Rescue and
Firefighting Vehicle (ARFF) capabilities and require additional equipment and training specific to
airport related emergencies.
Funding:
Because Spinks Airport does not carry an FAA Part 139 Certificate (Certificate for Commercial
Service), the airport is not eligible to receive federal funds for the development of a fire station.
The Municipal Airports Fund has received revenue from gas well drilling on airports; however, a
spending plait for the disposition of those funds is still in the draft stages.
Looking to the Future:
As mentioned above, Spinks Airport does not currently carry a Part 139 Certificate. If, however,
the City of Fort Worth elects to pursue air carrier or charter service at Spinks Airport in the future
(upon expiration of the Local Solution Agreement), it will be required that the fire station located
on airport have a response time of less than three minutes to the furthest point on airport. Further
site studies are necessary prior to construction of a new facility to ensure the best use of the
property for the needs of today and the needs of the future.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 8830
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council March 20, 2007
Page 2 of 2
" SUBJECT: Fire Station at Fort Worth Spinks Airport
Conclusion
The Fire Department will continue to further evaluate the possibility of establishing a fire station in the
southern section of the city and will bring recommendations forward to the City Council in the near future
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS