Our Department

Firefighter walking near fire truck in station bay.

Mission Statement

Minimize loss of life and property while providing fire suppression and emergency medical services to the residents of Bexar County District 7. To continually enhance the fire Department and promotion of fire safety and prevention through education.

"Courage is resistance to fear,
mastery of fear, not absence of fear."
-Mark Twain

Coverage Area

District 7 Fire Rescue response area map.

The map shows the coverage area for District 7 Fire Rescue. District 7 shares boarders with multiple municipalities and other ESDs. The area colored in light green is the area that District 7 protects. The area at the top of the map (east) is covered by Station 116 while area on the bottom (west) is covered by Station 115. For a higher quality image of the map click here.

In a small portion of Bexar County’s North West side resided a small rural community of farmers and ranchers. This small settlement was being watched over by the Helotes Area Volunteer Fire Department beginning in 1959. This department relied solely on the locals who volunteered their time to protect those in their community. This department helped protect not only those who lived in Helotes but those who lived in the surrounding areas as well.

As time went on the city of San Antonio started rapidly spreading their extra-territorial jurisdiction. This meant that San Antonio would hold authority in these surrounding communities. As the ETJ started spreading closer to the Helotes area, the citizens of Helotes decided to incorporate in 1981 becoming a city. However, as Helotes incorporated, there were surrounding areas that did not get incorporated within the new city limits.

Growth in this area of Bexar County continued to grow and in the early 2000’s subdivisions started getting built within these pockets of land that were unincorporated back in 1959. These new subdivisions continued to be watched over by the HAVFD. However, the HAVFD was not receiving funds from taxes to maintain their equipment or station.

In 2003, the city of Helotes created the Helotes Fire Department with paid firefighters. Shortly after in 2006, the city voted to discontinue service to the unincorporated areas due to lack of funding. This left a large population without protection.

ESSO To The Rescue

Longtime rural residents, faced with no fire protection, formed Emergency Services Support Organization (ESSO) at a concerned citizens meeting on January 4, 2006. Bexar County Commissioners were brought into the skirmish and a contract between Bexar County and Helotes, in March, extended rural service until December 31, 2006 with two major stipulations: 1) Generate at least $75,000 in contributions to the fire department, and 2) Insure passage of an ESD issue in the next election. Members of ESSO were already working on these two issues before the contract was formulated. As a result contributions exceeded the contract amount and the ESD issue passed with 98.16% of the voters voting for ESD7.

Emergency Services District No. 7

ESD 7 was formed in the summer of 2006. A board of five volunteers was formed and were tasked with two objectives: (1) Contract with Helotes Fire Department (HFD) for short-term coverage, and (2) build a fire department from the ground up.

A three year contract with HFD was quickly created for short term coverage of the area, and the board was able to turn the attention to the elephant in the room, creating a new fire department. With restrictions set forth by Bexar County on the amount of debt an ESD can accumulate the board had to be creative in constructing the new department. Along with finding the location for two stations, both stations had to be outfitted with: a fire engine, a tender, and a brush truck; along with gear for the firefighters such as: bunker gear, SCBAs, hoses, nozzles, radios, and pagers.

Creation of District 7 Fire & Rescue

With the hard work of the board District 7 Fire & Rescue was created. Starting with a mixed department of: full-time, part-time, and volunteer firefighters; the department was ready to protect the people of Northwest Bexar County.

Since the creation of the department over ten years ago the department has gone through dramatic changes and growth. Adding multiple trucks to our fleet, adding emergency medical transport to our services, and increasing our staffing to better accommodate our community. District 7 Fire & Rescue continues to grow and improve due to the passion and work ethic of our board and every firefighter that has worked for our department.

Front view of Station 116 with emergency vehicles parked on the front apron.

Station 115

"The Doghouse"

11615 Galm Rd. San Antonio, TX 78254

Welcome to Station 115, the proud headquarters of District 7, located just outside the entrance to Government Canyon State Natural Area. Established in 2022, Station 115 is a modern facility designed to meet our community’s needs with state-of-the-art equipment and ample resources. Our station is home to an array of emergency vehicles, including command vehicles, a ladder truck, two medic units, two brush trucks, a tender, and a Special Operations vehicle.

Station 115 also serves as the central hub for our administrative chiefs and training facilities, reflecting our commitment to excellence and preparedness. Before the construction of this contemporary facility, District 7 operated out of a modest 1,300 sq/ft farmhouse.

The nickname "The Doghouse" pays tribute to the station's history and the beloved department dog, Dotty, who was a cherished member of our team until her retirement in 2022. The name also honors the many canine companions of our staff members, who often accompany their owners during shifts. These loyal pets have become an integral part of our station family, and the name Station 115 stands as a testament to their special place in our hearts.

Firefighter riding a bull over a Maltese cross.

Station 116

"The Ranch"

18805 Bandera Rd. Helotes, TX 78023

Welcome to Station 116, strategically situated on North Highway 16, just south of Highway 211. Established in 2019, this station is equipped to support our rural community with a dedicated team of six personnel and an array of essential vehicles, including an engine, a medic unit, two brush trucks, and a tender.

Nestled in the picturesque hill country of Central Texas, Station 116 serves District 7’s more rural areas. Its expansive lot, which borders grazing cattle, offers a serene backdrop for our operations. The station also features the remnants of an old stone structure, a subject of intriguing debate and lively discussion among our team members during breaks at the kitchen table.

Affectionately known as "The Ranch," Station 116 embodies the spirit of its surroundings. The station’s rural setting, expansive property, and the presence of local cattle inspired the name. Our team takes great pride in maintaining the land and addressing any challenges that arise, echoing the resilience and resourcefulness of the cowboys who helped shape the rich legacy of Texas and the Hill Country.