WHO WE ARE 

The Texas Constitution created Rural Fire Protection Districts (RFPD) in 1949 and allowed them to assess a property tax to pay for services. The Frio County RFPD was created by the voters in November 1981 and has assessed the same property tax rate since 1982. In 1987, The Texas Constitution, Article 3, Section 48-e authorized the creation of Emergency Service Districts (ESD) to protect life and health. In 2003, all remaining RFPDs were converted to ESDs. The Texas Legislature allowed ESDs to collect property tax and/or sales and use tax to pay for services.

The Frio County Emergency Service District No. 1 is a local government agency created by voters to provide fire protection throughout Frio County and is governed by Chapter 775 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. ESDs are allowed to contract with existing volunteer fire departments and this provides a more stable funding source for the volunteer fire departments. The ESD contracts with Bigfoot VFD, Dilley VFD, Moore VFD and Pearsall VFD to provide fire protection in Frio County.