Zapata, Texas—U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced that he secured a $1.1 million federal earmark for Zapata County to construct a new, efficient fire station to replace the current building that was built in the 1960s. The current building has outlived its useful lifecycle and faces plumbing issues, water damage, and other structural damage. The new fire station will support both the Zapata County Fire Department and Zapata County Emergency Medical Services.

“Zapata County has been in dire need of a new fire station for quite some time now. The deteriorating conditions of the current building cause inefficiency problems and put our firefighter’s health at risk,” said Congressman Cuellar. “With the construction of this new fire station, Chief Arriaga and his fire department will be able to provide a higher quality service to Zapata County. This new building will also help us guarantee the health of our firefighters who risk their lives every day for us. I want to thank Chief Arriaga and Judge Rathmell for their collaboration in securing these funds and for their dedicated service to our community.”

Studies reveal that in the United States an average of 358,500 homes experience a structural fire each year, causing an average of 3,000 American deaths a year. Every day, at least one child dies from a fire inside a home.

The Zapata County Fire Department serves a population of 14,415 people in an area of 999 square miles.

In addition, the Zapata County EMS, which is housed at the current Zapata County Fire Station, is sought out often by members of the community for many of their emergency medical needs. Many have taken to visiting the fire house for those medical needs rather than calling for 911 services from their homes. Due to the building’s current state, the type of services that can be offered are somewhat limited, especially when considering the COVID-19 restrictions that we have found ourselves in. The facility does not have sufficient space to accommodate all those individuals who come seeking medical attention.

The Zapata County EMS and the firehouse have proved to be an invaluable asset for a resource strapped community.

Funding will be available once the Appropriations Bill is passed by Congress.

Previously, Congressman Cuellar secured a $1 million federal earmark for the construction of Zapata County’s first Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

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