Firefighters look west for next station

Lake Travis Fire Rescue is in a holding pattern on merger talks with the Austin Fire Department until January, but commissioners of the emergency services district took steps at their meeting last week to move forward on securing land for a new station in the western section of the district.

After convening in executive session, commissioners directed staff to pursue negotiations for a land purchase. To avoid competition or higher prices, the district declined to specify exact tracts.

“We are exploring numerous opportunities along the Hamilton Pool Road area from the intersection at Texas 71 all the way past (RM) 12,” board President Barker Keith II said. “We are trying to find the best opportunity that will meet the needs of the longterm growth there and provide us the access to that area that’s going to be needed.”

Given the district’s financial model, Keith said a new station wouldn’t come online until 2018.