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In addition the Police Department will be reclassifying one of NETCOM’s dispatchers to an assistant
manager, which will enhance the continuity of dispatch services across shifts as well as ensure consistent
and high levels of quality assurance and improvement to better serve the residents of the City of Keller
and our partner cities.

At the request of Keller ISD, one School Resource Officer is also being reclassified from less‐than‐full‐time
(0.75 FTE) to full‐time (1 FTE) this fiscal year to provide better availability to the schools. This
reclassification will be funded entirely by the school district.

The department also remains on the cutting edge of regionalization, finding cost savings and improved
service through working with our surrounding communities. By regionalizing 911 dispatch, detention, and
animal services with our area partner cities, the total cost of police services will be offset by $3.3 million
in annual revenue this year.

Fire & EMS

In 2016, the Keller Fire Department became the seventh fire department in the state and the first in
Tarrant County to earn status as a Recognized Best Practices Fire Department by the Texas Fire Chiefs
Association. The EMS capability of the department also continues to be recognized and is expected to
receive the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus recognition for a fifth time this
year based upon their success in treating heart attack patients.

During FY 2020‐21, the city launched a 16‐month feasibility study in partnership with the Town of
Westlake to explore the possibility of merging the Keller and Westlake fire departments into a regional
department providing care to both communities. Under the interim agreement between Keller and
Westlake, the two are currently sharing leadership positions with the Westlake Fire Chief serving as
interim chief of the Keller department, and Keller battalion chiefs assisting with calls in Westlake.

Whatever the outcome of the study, which will extend into FY 2021‐22, we would anticipate a mix of
short‐term and long‐term financial impacts. A consolidation would grow Keller’s fire department by
approximately 17 employees without additional cost to our residents, and has the potential to improve
our training, leadership and best practices. The study is also exploring how a merger might impact
response times in the northern portion of our city in cases when the Westlake station is closer to an event
than any of Keller’s units, and how cost sharing might work on future apparatus and capital projects. If
the two communities choose not to move forward with a consolidation, Keller will need to address hiring
a Fire Chief and planning for some of the long‐term expenses being anticipated for the department,
including the addition of a third ambulance crew and the eventual construction and staffing of a fourth
fire station.

Strategy 1.4: Create Family‐Centric Environments

While creating family‐centric environments is not exclusive to Parks and Recreation spaces, a number of
the department’s ongoing projects and upcoming plans will put this goal into action. The FY 2021‐22 KDC
budget includes $110,000 to replace the 21‐year‐old Chase Oaks Activity Node playground, ensuring
children have a fun place to play and parents have peace of mind knowing the equipment is safe and well

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