About HCESD-1

Harris County Emergency Services District 1 is a "Not for Profit" Emergency Medical Service that serves the citizens of North Harris County in its service area (see "Our District").

HCESD-1 FleetIn 1991 Harris County Emergency Services was formed through a majority vote of the property owners within its district. This was done to ensure that adequate funding was available for EMS within the proposed service area. Taxpayers voluntarily approved a 3 cent per one hundred dollar tax on their property to properly fund the service.

After utilizing contract services for the first seven years, HCESD-1 moved in August of 1998 to assume control of the operations which would allow the ESD to more closely monitor standards and provide a higher level of accountability for the tax monies that are spent.

Harris County ESD 1 provides both “911” ambulances to its citizens as well as providing ‘Critical Care Transports’ from the neighboring hospitals we transport to. With the additional revenue generated, this will allow Harris County ESD 1 to provide more “911” ambulances to the district which will insure that when a citizens needs an ambulance one will be available.

Today Harris County Emergency Services District 1 staffs full service Mobile Intensive Care Units that are dispatched by Harris County Emergency Communications. These ambulances are fully equipped with all the necessary life saving equipment and the best medical teams needed in almost any situation.

Ultimately, a Board of Directors appointed by the Commissioners Court monitors the organization today. Harris County ESD 1 has a General Manager that oversees the daily operations of the service and reports directly to the Board of Directors.

Harris County Emergency Services District 1 is made up of five board members, one Medical Physician, one Director of EMS, one Assistant Director of Operations, one Assistant Director of Administration, one Medical Control Coordinator, one Educations Coordinator, Office Support Staff, District 90 EMS Supervisors, HCESD1 Field Training Officers, Vehicle Maintenance Specialist, twenty-five Senior Incharge Paramedics, twenty-five Attendants, and a complimentary medical volunteer staff.

Harris County Emergency Services District 1 responds to approximately 15,200 "9-1-1" calls each year with six ambulances. These ambulances are in service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. HCESD has strategically placed the ambulances within the district to help reduce the response time when a citizen calls for an ambulance. The sixth ambulance was placed in service January 2006 which was made possible with the additional subsidies from the Critical Care Transports from our local hospitals. The additional subsidies have allowed Harris County ESD1 to provide an additional twenty two hours of “911” coverage to our district.

ESD covers approximately 78.34 square miles with a population of just over 350,000 people. Harris County ESD1 has strategically placed substations within the North Harris County District to insure that each and every citizen has access to an ambulance in the shortest amount of time possible. With careful planning and the support from dedicated staff, Harris County ESD 1 is considered one of the "Elite" EMS services in its class and delivers the highest quality medical care in the nation. HCESD1 strives to be best and it shows.