John Venzke

Greetings Paradise
We would like to inform residents of Bayou Vista, in the near future there will possibly be a reduction in First Responder call services provided by the Bayou Vista Fire Department, i.e. life assistance, minor medical calls. Our current budget provides 24/7 coverage for Fire and First responder calls. Since city council is moving forward to eliminate their contribution of $45,000. The reduction will begin at $5,000 a year. This contribution was agreed on and given to the fire department to provide Fire and First Responders stationed within Bayou Vista, 24/7/365. We will also consider only having limited duty crew staff, Monday through Friday and the weekends and holidays will go unmanned and hopefully our volunteers will be in the area if services are needed.
The remaining money allotted to our first responder’s responses will be placed into our operations funding for equipment, maintenance, repair and replacement of equipment. Our current budget collected is only from residential contribution, county contract and fundraisers. This will not be an easy decision to make but we will have to reduce services.
Please keep in mind also we are the lowest paid Fire Duty Crew within Galveston County, and the department has not asked for any increase in the city’s contribution. Also with this reduction, your homeowner’s insurance will also increase due. We are currently working with ISO to increase our rating. When the reductions begin ISO will be contacted and given new information causing an increase to your homeowners insurance.
If this concerns you about a possible reduction in services, please make yourself known to city council.
Thank you
Fire Chief John Venzke
Captain Robert Doolittle

Posted on Facebook 09/21/2025 (just a note, the BV Golf tournament donated $9,000 in 2025)