Page 19 - CityofKellerFY25Budget

accreditation. The department earned its most recent Accreditation with Excellence from the Commission
on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies in 2022. The same is true of our NETCOM 911 team; after
becoming the first regional dispatch in Texas to earn national accreditation from CALEA in 2018, our
dispatchers were also re-accredited in 2022. Most recently, Keller was ranked #25 on the Safewise Safest
Cities Report, a list that uses a combination of FBI crime statistics, demographic information, and the
company's proprietary State of Safety research study results to rank cities throughout the country.

The department also remains on the cutting edge of regionalization, finding cost savings and improved
service through working with our surrounding communities. Regionalizing 911 dispatch, detention
services and animal services with our area partners will offset the total cost of police services by $4.3
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 team's EMS capabilities continue to be recognized as well by area hospital partners and
the American Heart Association. In November 2023, Keller Fire Rescue earned the Public Protection
Classification Rating of ISO Class 1 based on the results of an on-site assessment. The new rating places
Keller Fire Rescue in the top 2% of all fire departments in Texas and the top 1% of about 46,000 rated
communities.

Earlier this year, Keller Fire Rescue partnered with Emergency Services Consulting International to develop
a new strategic plan to strengthen community connections and create a unified vision for the department.
The new strategic plan went into effect in July 2024 and will guide Keller Fire toward a more cohesive
department with a unified mission, vision and values. It also aligns with city and council strategic goals to
ensure the Keller Fire Department continues providing the highest level of fire, emergency medical, and
other services to our citizens and visitors alike.

Strategy 1.4: Create Family-Centric Environments

While creating family-centric environments is not exclusive to Parks and Recreation spaces, a couple of
the department's ongoing projects and upcoming plans will put this goal into action. In addition to all the
planned work at the Keller Sports Park, the FY 2024-25 KDC sets aside $100,000 for the first in a
forthcoming series of playground shade structures, identified in the 2024 Community Survey as a high-
ranking desire from Keller residents. Construction is also wrapping up on Bates Street Park, a new
destination for relaxation and recreation in the heart of Old Town Keller.

Across town at the Keller Public Library, staff recently unveiled a sensory room at the Library Annex.
Designed to help individuals develop and engage their senses, this project was fully funded through a
private grant.

Strategy 1.5: Continue Supporting Quality of Life through Excellent Events and Festivals

From Holly Days and Keller Summer Nights to our newest and most popular annual event, Keller Lights,
the Keller Parks & Recreation Department hosts over 30 special events attended by tens of thousands of
residents and visitors each year. This year's budget will maintain the $80,000 allocated in FY 2023-24 to

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