The Texas Township Fire Department serves a geographical area of 36 square miles (map) of the geopolitical subdivision of Texas Charter Township in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. The area is rapidly developing with a mix of largely residential and light commercial construction. This development is progressing from east to west. The eastern and northern areas of the Township have condensed areas of residential platted areas, areas of neighborhood businesses, and an a freeway interchange area with a community college, corporate bank headquarters, major food distribution center and other commercial businesses. The western and southern fringe areas of the Township are still largely agricultural with a sprinkling of residential development. The Township Board controls development, with input from the Township Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. The Township Zoning Ordinances and the 1995 Township Land Use Plan are the documents that give general direction to these boards for planning development.

Creation of the Department

The Fire Department was created in 1947 to service a then mainly agricultural district with very few fires, but a potential that could not be handled by neighboring Portage or Oshtemo Township

As the Township became a desirable area for residential growth, more agricultural areas were developed into housing plats. This increased the potential for emergency medical related requests from the Fire Department due to the lengthy response time for an ambulance to reach these areas from Kalamazoo.

Township Development

In 1957, Interstate 94 was constructed with an interchange at 9th Street. This brought increased vehicular traffic into the Township (2000 figures, 67,000 vehicles per day on I-94) with a resultant increase in traffic accidents, which required a Fire Department response. The construction of the Kalamazoo Valley Community College (10,000 students, 400 staff) and one of Kalamazoo's larger employers, National City Bank - Michigan Headquarters office (over 1000 employees) led to development of multi-family housing and commercial businesses that have increased the fluid population in the Township during certain times of the day.

Development is currently underway on a Business, Technology and Research Park at the southwest corner of I-94 and 9th Street. This area contains the Dana Corporation’s Spicer Heavy Axle and Brake research and development center as well as Kalamazoo Valley Community College Industrial Technology Center, and Bronson Healthcare Group’s Lifestyle Health and Fitness Center. Other major corporate research and development centers are expected to construct facilities in this park. Other development is rapidly taking place north of I-94 near 9th Street. This includes the Corporate Woods office development, Southwest Michigan Athletic Training facility and Twin Star Ice Arena.

  
 
   
© 2003 Texas Township Fire Department