White Settlement Professional Firefighters Association Local 5197

02/25/2026

🚨 PUBLIC SAFETY NOTICE 🚨
Proposed Closure of Engine 1

The Grapevine Firefighters Association is informing the public about a proposal by Fire Chief Darrell Brown to permanently close Engine 1 in order to redistribute personnel.

If implemented, this plan would eliminate the city’s only double-company firehouse. Engine 1 would be permanently shut down and it would be replaced with a two-person squad operating out of a pickup-truck, while other personnel are reassigned to place a fourth medic in service.

This change would reduce overall emergency response capabilities across Grapevine. The impact would extend beyond residential neighborhoods to high-occupancy and high-risk locations such as Great Wolf Lodge, the Ga***rd Texan, Hotel Vin, the Historic Main Street District, Grapevine Mills Mall, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine, local schools, skilled nursing facilities, Grapevine Lake, and numerous other hotels, event venues, and commercial properties throughout the city.

Replacing a fully staffed fire engine with a two-person squad reduces the city’s capacity to respond effectively to structure fires, vehicle accidents, technical rescues, and other critical emergencies throughout the community.

This proposal impacts response times, resource availability, firefighter safety, and community safety.

It is important to note that Chief Brown has formally requested personnel increases for several consecutive years in an effort to keep pace with the city’s growth and service demands. Those staffing requests were not approved at City Hall, leaving limited options within the current staffing model and ultimately leading to this proposed restructuring plan.

A citizen survey regarding this proposal will be distributed to 10,000 residents via email and text message. Once compiled, the survey results will be delivered to the Grapevine City Council for their awareness and consideration.

If no action is taken by City Council, the permanent closure of Engine 1 will occur this summer.

We encourage residents, business owners, and visitors to stay informed and participate.

📢 For Questions or to Share Concerns:
• Fire Chief Darrell Brown: 817-410-4400
• City Manager Bruno Rumbelow: 817-410-3000
• William D. Tate: [email protected]
• Paul Slechta: [email protected]
• Sharron Rogers: [email protected]
• Leon Leal: [email protected]
• Sean Shope: [email protected]
• Chris Coy: [email protected]
• Duff O’Dell: [email protected]
• Email your firefighters: [email protected]

Public safety decisions affect everyone. Stay informed. Stay engaged.

02/25/2026

Come join us!!

Today is the final day to submit your Intent to Test application for the White Settlement Fire Department.

All applications must be submitted through the City of White Settlement job posting no later than:

Application Deadline: February 25, 2026
If you meet the qualifications and are interested in moving forward, be sure to complete and submit your application before the deadline.

Submitting your application through the City’s website is the required first step in the hiring process. Applications received after 5:00 PM will not be accepted.

If you meet the qualifications and are interested in moving forward, be sure your application is completed and submitted before the deadline.

Full position details and application materials are available here:
www.wstx.us/jobs

We look forward to the next phase of the process.

12/20/2025

The White Settlement Professional Firefighters Association is saddened by the loss of Firefighter/Paramedic Michael Swope. Our prayers are with the Lewisville Fire Fighters Association Local 3606, the Lewisville Fire, and with Michael’s family, friends, and coworkers.

12/18/2025

Today marks a significant step forward for the fire service.

The U.S. Senate has passed the HONOR Act, legislation that recognizes firefighter cancer as a line-of-duty death. This acknowledgment matters. Firefighters are routinely exposed to carcinogens while doing their jobs, and for far too long, those risks have not been fully recognized when it mattered most.

This legislation helps ensure that firefighters and their families receive the recognition, benefits, and support they deserve when cancer is linked to the job. It also reinforces what the fire service has known for years. Occupational cancer is one of the leading causes of firefighter deaths.

We appreciate the continued work of the International Association of Fire Fighters and the lawmakers who pushed this forward, and we will continue advocating for protections that support firefighters throughout their careers and beyond.

IAFF Local 5197 supports this effort and stands with firefighters everywhere affected by job-related cancer.

12/12/2025

As part of the special election for White Settlement City Council Place 1, the White Settlement Professional Firefighters Association Local 5197 invited each candidate to respond to a set of questions focused on public safety, growth, development, and long-term planning.

The images in this post show each candidate’s responses in their own words, exactly as submitted. These responses are being shared to help residents better understand where each candidate stands on issues that impact the future of our city.

Local 5197 does not endorse candidates in this process. Our goal is to provide clear, factual information so voters can make informed decisions.

12/10/2025

Today is the final day to support the Little Coats, Big Hearts Coat Drive. Local 5197 is proud to stand with the White Settlement Fire Department in helping collect new coats, hats, and gloves for school-age children in Tarrant County, including students in White Settlement ISD.

If you would like to donate, items can still be dropped off at Station 18, located at 8308 Hanon Dr, before the end of the day. Your support helps ensure local children have the winter essentials they need.

Today is the last day to support the Little Coats, Big Hearts Coat Drive at the White Settlement Fire Department. New coats, hats, and gloves for school-age children can still be dropped off at Fire Station 18.

This program benefits children across Tarrant County, including students in White Settlement ISD. Thank you to everyone who has donated and helped keep local children warm this winter.

12/07/2025

CODE WORD GIVEAWAY IS STILL UP FOR GRABS!!

12/06/2025

***GIVEAWAY ALERT***

The White Settlement Professional Firefighters Association will be set up inside the Holiday Market at Veterans Park during the Light The Night Christmas Parade festivities. Stop by our booth, visit with us, and check out what we have on display.

We are also doing a code-word giveaway after 6:00 PM. The first two people who come to the booth and say “bear cave” will receive a challenge coin.

We look forward to seeing everyone at Veterans Park for a great night in White Settlement.

12/06/2025

The members of White Settlement Professional Firefighters Association Local 5197 are proud to support the Little Coats, Big Hearts Coat Drive alongside the White Settlement Fire Department. This effort helps provide new coats, hats, and gloves for school-age children in Tarrant County, including students in White Settlement ISD.

If you are able to donate, items can be dropped off at Station 18 through December 10. Every contribution helps a local child stay warm this winter.

The Little Coats, Big Hearts Coat Drive is underway, and we appreciate everyone who has donated so far. We are collecting new coats, hats, and gloves for school-age children who may need help staying warm, including students in White Settlement ISD.

Items can be dropped off at Fire Station 18 through December 10. Every donation helps support children in our community.

03/12/2025

We're proud to share our total calls for the month of February! With our committed team of firefighters and the unwavering support of our wonderful community, we're continuously working to enhance safety, one call at a time. Your well-being remains our top priority, and we're here round the clock to serve you!