WHAT IS AN EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT (ESD)

An Emergency Services District (ESD) is a local government agency created by a vote of the public to provide fire protection and/or emergency medical services (EMS) in specific areas in unincorporated Harris County. There are more than 310 ESDs in Texas, 32 of which are in Harris County. The governing statute for an ESD is Chapter 775 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. An ESD collects taxes based on appraisals of real and personal property and usually contracts with a service provider (e.g. Baytown Fire Department). There are two types of ESDs: one is for fire protection and the other is for emergency medical services (EMS).