Page 17 - CityofKennedaleFY26AdoptedBudget

with neighbors and share city resources. The police department will continue its leadership training for all
command staff and implement the Active Attack Integrated Response program for coordinated active attack

response between the fire department and the police department. Through outreach programs and a community-
oriented policing approach, the police department has achieved a 34% decrease in crime. Next year, the police

department will develop a five-year strategic plan for its future.

With the highly anticipated opening of the remodeled fire station in July 2026, the fire department continues

to be involved in the community, engaging with individuals and groups through annual fire safety education
programs and participation in several career day events at local schools, showcasing their passion for serving

the community. Throughout the year, the department also hosts other public events, including open houses for

public safety and Fire Prevention Week. During these open houses, the fire and police departments display
their equipment and gear, which illustrate their capabilities in serving and assisting the public. The fire

department also supports the community through the Angel Tree Christmas Program, which helps meet the
needs of residents during the holiday season. In FY2025, the department launched a new program providing

residential smoke detectors to promote fire safety inside homes. This initiative supplies smoke detectors that
are functional and meet industry standards at no cost to residents. For FY 2026, the Kennedale Fire Department

will launch its first Citizen Fire Academy to improve public safety through enhanced fire protection education

for the public. Additionally, the department will begin pursuing a best practices accreditation from the Texas
Fire Chiefs Association. This program emphasizes firefighter safety, high training standards, and practical

emergency response training.

The Kennedale Public Works Department supports all aspects of city activities and services. The staff

collaborates on many projects with the Keep Kennedale Beautiful Commission and the Parks Board. Each year,
Public Works helps organize and manage the Adopt-A-Spot program, where local citizens and businesses

partner to clean designated areas of the city. They also manage the annual Bring-It campaign to help control
residential waste and debris accumulation inside and outside homes. Public Works supports all city events,

including hosting KidFish, in conjunction with the National Take a Kid Fishing program, which draws families

to Sonora Park, where a small lake provides opportunities for fishing and outdoor activities. They play a major
role in setting up and taking down multiple city events, as hosting events is part of their responsibilities.

Additionally, they manage infrastructure projects related to water, sewer, and street repairs throughout the city.

Citizen involvement on city boards and commissions is another vital aspect that fosters better communication

with residents. The city has upgraded its communication technology to improve audio and visual capabilities
through an online system, increasing transparency. We will continue to build on these efforts to boost citizen

participation and seek new ways to enhance communication. The city will continue to improve messaging via

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