In July the department acquired a new 4,000-gallon tanker thanks to a voter-approved 1 percent sales tax increase in 2006. According to Robert Beeley, president of Emergency Services District 21, which covers Rosehill, the proceeds from the rate hike are being used to enhance “fire fighting capabilities” within the district.

Beeley explained that the “majority of the population” in Rosehill does not have fire hydrants near their homes and that the tanker will provide increased water access should a fire break out in those areas.

He also said the increased water capacity should result in lower home insurance for residents of ESD 21.

At left, a 1 percent sales tax increase in Rosehill approved in 2006 helped purchase this new 4,000-gallon tanker for the Rosehill Fire Department.

“They have very high insurance rates,” he said. “If you have tankable water, it will lower your rates. This new tanker will make that possible.”

When the tax increase was proposed to voters in 2006, Beeley said it was made with the promise that “the proceeds would be used to fund the additional fire suppression equipment required to reduce their insurance rates.”

“It’s not often that you get to increase your taxes with the promise of lowering your insurance rates for a net savings,” he added. “But it’s working.”

The $276,000 tanker is one of a kind, chief Tom Shellenberger said. He explained that the unit has the capability to vacuum in water to replenish its tank as water is being hosed out to extinguish a fire.

“It’s a relatively new concept for fire service,” Assistant Chief Lee Selucki added.

The fire department acquired the tanker in July and made its first call to a garage fire in Magnolia to aide the Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department.

The Rosehill Fire Department is a mutual aid department and assists with calls in Waller, Magnolia, Tomball, Klein and surrounding communities in Harris, Montgomery and Waller counties.

The new tanker is just the first amenity the Rosehill community can expect to see funded by the sales tax increase.

Beeley said the ESD’s two main priorities now are to increase manpower and build another station in Rosehill. Currently, the Rosehill Fire Station employs two paramedics and five fire fighters.

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