Bexar-Bulverde Volunteer Fire Department merges with county Emergency Services District

BEXAR COUNTY, TX – After nearly 60 years of service, the Bexar-Bulverde Volunteer Fire Department will undergo some changes.

“Nobody likes change, but it was time to really merge and operate within the county sphere,” said Jerry Bialick, executive director of Bexar County Emergency Services District No. 3.

The department merged with Bexar County EMS #3 in early June. The merger occurred after the department had served northern and northeast Bexar County for nearly 60 years.

Bialick said residents won't notice much difference with the merger.

“Same people, same trucks, same stations, same operations,” Bialick said. “We kept everyone, and so it was a pretty easy decision.”

The department had a service contract with ESD No. 3 for years. Today, the contract is over – and the word “volunteer” is no longer in the name – but the staff, equipment and stations will all remain.

“We will always have volunteer firefighters,” Bialick said. “We’re still working out some semantics.”

Bialick said the merger happened because of Bexar County's growth.

“How much impact has the growth of this area of ​​Bexar County actually had on this merger? » KSAT asked Bialick.

“Well, you know, that’s all part of it,” Bialick said.

Bialick said calls to firefighters have skyrocketed since 2017, demonstrating a growing need for additional resources. He said the department has been discussing consolidation for years.

Although the future of the ministry looks a little different, many things will remain the same.

“There is no additional expense to the public and no reduction in service,” Bialick said.

This week, Bexar County ESD #3 announced plans to build a new fire station on Borgfeld Drive with hopes of a groundbreaking next January.