Liberty County ESD #2 Commissioners Attend Statewide Safe-D Conference

HDR Fire and Rescue Prepare for Fern

Russell Reed Sworn in as Fire Chief of Liberty County ESD #2

Liberty County Emergency Services District #2 (ESD #2 ) took part in a pivotal emergency response exercise held in 2025 at the Exxon-Mobil facility in Daisetta, Texas. The event was organized as a tabletop drill simulating emergency operations for the region’s key industrial site. This exercise underscored the commitment of local authorities and industry leaders to preparedness and coordinated response in case of disasters. Coordinated Response with Regional Partners The tabletop drill brought together various agencies and organizations to simulate a multi-faceted emergency scenario. In addition to ESD #2 , participants included: City of Daisetta officials Liberty County Sheriff’s Office personnel Local EMS (Emergency Medical Services) representatives Exxon Mobil Daisetta employees (a team of 25 staff) Exxon Mobil Beaumont facility representatives Exxon Mobil Fire Response Team from Beaumont This collaboration fostered open communication and established best practices for potential emergencies involving industrial and community infrastructure. Leadership and Fire Department Representation ESD #2 was represented at the drill by key members of their department, including: Fire Chief JT Smith Ryan Taylor, Firefighter Ethan Tindol, Firefighter Nick Bourdoumis, Firefighter The team showcased two major apparatus from their fire department, demonstrating their operational readiness and commitment to protecting Daisetta and nearby communities. Photo opportunities featured Fire Chief JT Smith, Ryan Taylor, Ethan Tindol, Nick Bourdoumis, and the two ESD #2 apparatus, highlighting the district’s resources and personnel on-site for the drill. Industry Support and Community Engagement After the successful completion of the emergency response exercise, Exxon Mobil provided lunch for all drill participants—fostering camaraderie and underscoring the importance of ongoing partnership between industry and local emergency services. Through exercises like these, Liberty County ESD #2 reinforces their mission to safeguard residents, businesses, and visitors, ensuring that emergency procedures are practiced, refined, and ready for any circumstance. The proactive approach taken at the Exxon-Mobil Daisetta facility exemplifies community resilience and the value of cooperation among public agencies and private enterprises.

The Hull-Daisetta-Raywood Fire & Rescue Department (HDR F&R) proudly serves the residents of Liberty County Emergency Service District #2, covering the Hull, Daisetta, and Raywood communities. Led by a dedicated full-time fire chief and supported by two paid firefighters on duty Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., HDR F&R relies on a strong network of volunteer firefighters to provide around-the-clock protection for the community. These volunteers step up evenings, nights, and weekends—often balancing their service with other full-time jobs—to ensure that help is always on the way when it is needed most. Many of the department’s members are certified firefighters or are currently pursuing certification. Several also serve with other fire departments across Southeast Texas, bringing valuable experience and professionalism to HDR F&R. Despite limited funding, the department continues to provide top-quality emergency response through a mix of paid staff and passionate volunteers. The Liberty County ESD #2 continues to work toward improving pay scales, benefits, and staffing levels as resources allow. In the meantime, HDR F&R maximizes every dollar by maintaining well-equipped, reliable apparatus ready for any call—whether it is a grass fire, motor vehicle accident, or a large structure fire. Beyond its own service area, HDR F&R also responds to mutual aid requests from neighboring departments. Recent examples include providing tanker truck and personnel to assist with a major business fire in the City of Liberty, as well as a late-night house fire in a nearby district. With a blend of professional skill, community commitment, and teamwork, the Hull-Daisetta-Raywood Fire & Rescue Department stands as a proud example of what local dedication can achieve—protecting lives and property across Liberty County, one call at a time. 

Liberty County ESD #2 is launching a new website. It is required by the State of Texas that all taxing entities in the State maintain a website and must have certain items on that website. Those needs of the ESD #2 had been poorly served and were not meeting all of the requirements of the State.