The Fire Department is a 12 man paid department with one secretary which also maintains a 15 to 20 man 501 (c) 3 Volunteer Fire Department. The Fire Department has an ISO rating of 4. The department mans two Engines with 3 paid firefighters 24/7/365. The department has two front line engines, one 105 foot ladder, and one reserve used for Volunteer training. The department responds to structure fires with Automatic Assistance Coverage agreements with the two (2) contiguous cities of Groves and Nederland, Texas. This means there are a minimum of 3 paid firefighters from Port Neches and two each paid firefighters from Groves and Nederland for a minimum of 7 paid firefighters and one Chief responding plus a strong contingent of volunteers depending on the time of day. Part of the off duty paid firefighters and part of the volunteers report to the Station to man the remaining engines for coverage of the city during the emergency. The paid department is governed by Texas Local Government Code 143 (Civil Service).
The Port Neches Fire Department is usually very busy each year in all aspects of the fire service including fire suppression, hazardous materials response, first on scene emergency medical responses, fire & arson investigations, capital improvements, homeland security, grants management and fire prevention. The Fire Department responds to several calls each year with few or no fire deaths. The Fire Department responds to first on scene emergency medical calls on approximately 70% of all calls for service. The department is making great strides in providing quality first on scene emergency medical assistance by certifying and providing continuing education for ECA and EMT certifications for nearly all fire fighters. The department has also placed Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) on each of its engines.
The Bureau of Fire prevention gives fire prevention programs to many audiences each year. There is an average of 2 arson arrests made each year. The Bureau inspects commercial businesses each year while operating under the 2006 Edition of the International Fire Prevention Code.
Mission Statement
The mission statement of the Port Neches Fire Department is to help make Port Neches a safe place, where all want to live work and play.
In furtherance of this mission we will:
- Be responsive in fulfilling our responsibilities of public safety for all citizens and co-workers during all emergencies caused by fire and other life threatening situations including medical assistance calls, water rescue, high angle rescue, hazardous materials response, confined space rescue, potential terrorism incidents and other emergency management services as desired by the citizens when money, time, personnel, and volunteers will allow.
- Be efficient in the delivery of fire prevention, fire suppression, emergency medical, and preparation of special operations activities for all citizens against the loss of life and property caused by fire, potential terrorism incidents and other emergency management life threatening incidents including pursuing agreements with local entities & agencies, and by lowering ISO rating for reduced insurance rates to provide improved economic development tools for the City while maintaining the fiscal responsibility of fire facilities, equipment, volunteers, and training.
- Be professional in our daily conduct of all fire department, volunteer, and emergency management activities including citizen assistance, fire code enforcement, arson investigation, public education & training, preparation of terrorism response, and in the treatment of traumatized citizens who have been devastated by fire, terrorism, or other emergency management life threatening emergencies.