Grapevine Squad Program Moves Forward Despite Pushback

A change in Grapevine Fire Department history. As of July 1, the Grapevine Fire Department placed Engine 1 out of service for the final time at 6:30 a.m. (Pictured alongside its replacement, Squad 7.) Under the new staffing plan, Engine 1 has been replaced by the two-person Squad 7. The plan also reassigns one firefighter from Truck 7 to pair with another firefighter, allowing the department to place a fourth ambulance into service. As a result, Grapevine is now operating with three engine companies instead of four, reducing the city’s available firefighting resources. The current response model also requires a mutual aid engine or truck company from a neighboring fire department to be dispatched to every reported structure fire. The change comes after many Grapevine residents voiced opposition to the plan, along with 97% of the members of the Grapevine Firefighters Association, who also opposed the proposal.