Hutto Fire Rescue/WCESD #3 Stays Focused on Service as City Moves Forward with Separate Fire Department Efforts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 13, 2026

HUTTO, Texas — Hutto Fire Rescue, also known as Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 (WCESD #3), remains fully committed to serving the Hutto community.  

WCESD #3 is aware that the City of Hutto has taken action to move forward with establishing a separate, city operated fire department within the community. While the district does not understand the decision to create a duplicate fire protection system alongside the existing ESD #3 service, WCESD #3 remains focused on its responsibility to provide the highest level of effective emergency services to residents, businesses, and visitors of the Hutto community.

As the community continues to grow, so does the need for emergency services. To that end, WCESD #3 continues to strategically plan how to best serve the Hutto community, including new fire stations, staffing, equipment, and resources to keep service levels high and response times low.

At the April meeting of the WCESD #3 Board of Commissioners, the Board authorized the fire chief and legal counsel to negotiate a contract for the purchase of land located near County Road 132 and the “Megasite” for future Fire Station #6. This is in addition to the district’s current four fire stations and land previously acquired from Hutto ISD for future Fire Station #5. The “Megasite” is the location where the City of Hutto has indicated plans to place its own fire station.

WCESD #3 has decades of experience planning and operating fire stations within the Hutto community and is a recognized Best Practices Fire Department in the State of Texas. Station placement and operational decisions are guided by response data, coverage analysis, apparatus access, projected growth, and long-term service needs identified through the district’s Standards of Cover.

Hutto Fire Rescue’s commitment to excellence is reflected in the community’s insurance protection rating of a 1, the best fire protection rating a community can receive. Only a small number of communities across the country earn this distinction. For residents and businesses, that means the Hutto community has one of the highest-rated fire protection systems in the nation, which helps lower insurance costs. The rating recognizes the strength of the department’s training, staffing, emergency response capabilities, equipment, communications, and coverage throughout the community.

Todd Robison, President of the WCESD #3 Board of Commissioners, said the district’s focus remains exactly where it has always been, which is the safety of the community.

“Our firefighters, command staff, and leadership team care deeply about this community. We are constantly planning ahead to make sure Hutto families and businesses continue receiving the high level of service they deserve as this community grows. Hutto Fire Rescue was built by people who believed in serving others, and that commitment has never changed.  This ESD has proven its value to the community. Chief Kerwood is one of the most respected fire chiefs in the state, and I know his focus and commitment will continue to be on making Hutto Fire Rescue a department that all others look to as the example of excellence.”

For more than 25 years, WCESD #3 has proudly provided fire protection, emergency medical, and all-hazards response services to Hutto and surrounding areas. Since voters approved the creation of the district in 2000 after the City of Hutto elected not to establish its own fire department, the ESD’s mission has remained unchanged: to deliver high-quality emergency services, make fiscally responsible decisions, and protect the lives and property of the community we serve. WCESD #3 remains committed to transparency, responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and continuing to provide exceptional emergency services to the Hutto community for generations to come.  

Hutto Fire Rescue will continue serving the community as “Your All-Hazards Hometown Fire Department.”

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Williamson County ESD #3, operating as Hutto Fire Rescue, provides fire protection, emergency medical services, rescue operations, fire inspections, fire investigations, and community risk reduction programs across 63 square miles, including the City of Hutto and the surrounding Hutto Community. Hutto Fire Rescue operates four fire stations throughout the district and is committed to protecting life and property through emergency response, prevention efforts, and public education.

For more information, visit www.huttofire.gov.