In the wake of devastating urban wildfires in southern California, the City of New Braunfels and New Braunfels Utilities want to reassure local residents that the local firefighting infrastructure is ready should similar fires begin here.
City of New Braunfels Fire Department
The City of New Braunfels Fire Department (NBFD) is highly prepared to respond to urban interface fires. With a Class 1 ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating, NBFD relies on top-tier equipment, well-trained personnel, and efficient water distribution systems. In addition, NBFD is a proud member of the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) and Texas Task Force One (TX-TF1), which is why three NBFD firefighters have been sent to assist with the California wildfires, lending their expertise in managing large-scale wildland-urban interface fires. Their specialized training and experience enable them to respond effectively to complex emergencies across the country and within our community.
Additionally, the City's recent investment in hybrid squad units has made NBFD one of the most mechanically equipped departments for wildland fires in the region. In addition to being well-trained and equipped, the New Braunfels Fire Department has established mutual aid agreements with surrounding fire agencies to ensure additional staff and equipment can be brought in to manage large-scale wildland fires. These agreements allow for a coordinated response and enhances the capacity to effectively protect the community. One of the most recent mutual aid agreements includes Joint Base San Antonio which will bring in military staff and equipment when necessary.
New Braunfels Utilities
New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) continuously monitors and evaluates the City’s water system to ensure that all areas meet required flow and capacity standards. There are no known subdivisions or areas of New Braunfels that are currently experiencing limited fire flow. NBU requires that all new developments meet fire flow and hydrant access criteria as outlined in the 2021 International Fire Code, which includes specific requirements for water flow and hydrant placement. NBU reviews all new developments to ensure these standards are met before they are approved.
Fire hydrants are placed every 300 feet in high-density commercial areas and every 600 feet in residential areas to ensure adequate access for fire suppression. To ensure proper operation, NBU conducts annual maintenance on all fire hydrants, including operational checks for flow, greasing, color touch-ups, and clearing of drains. Every hydrant is thoroughly inspected and serviced once a year by an NBU contractor. This proactive maintenance ensures that hydrants are ready for use in case of an emergency.
To learn more about the City of New Braunfels Fire Department, visit www.newbraunfels.gov/fire and to learn more about New Braunfels Utilities, visit www.nbutexas.com.