We all remember where we were and what we were doing on September 11, 2001. In the nearly 14 years since then, there has been much analysis, speculation, conjecture and theorizing on various aspects of the attack and the response to it.

   One of the most important lessons to emerge from the aftermath of those events is that public safety agencies need to be able to physically communicate with each other.

   This was one of the driving forces behind this year's implementation of a new 800 mhz radio system for all public safety agencies in the Metrocrest region communities of Farmers Branch, Carrollton, Coppell and Addison.

   But, in the spirit of that cooperation between neighbors, an idea emerged to take that thinking to the next level.

   Enter the North Texas Emergency Communications Center, or NTECC.

   The combining of the public safety dispatch functions of our four cities will go online later this year as one of the great things happening in 2015 for Farmers Branch.

   Not only will the combining of this function result in cost savings to each community, it will also dramatically improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our public safety agencies.

   All new technology for our Police and Fire Departments comes along with the NTECC concept. That includes new mobile data in Police squad cars and Fire vehicles, Automatic Vehicle Locator (or AVL) systems that will plot the location of all mobile units in all four cities and new Computer Aided Dispatch to replace the one purchased at the turn of the century. 

   Let me be clear about one thing. Each of our municipal borders remains intact. This project does not dissolve them. However, Police can now keep abreast of what kind of calls are going on near our border that could potentially impact Farmers Branch. Response times will improve with a single communications center dispatching units for emergency and non-emergency calls.

   Mutual aid - when one department requires assistance from another in an emergency situation - used to require a phone call. With NTECC, mutual aid will be instantaneous.

   Hardware, software and personnel costs are shared proportionally among the participating communities, so Farmers Branch only pays a percentage for equipment we used to purchase outright.

   The events of 9/11 reminded us that no agency is an island. Today, public safety issues can be so complex and, at times, overwhelming that communities are best served when they rely on each other. It is the combined and constant knowledge of what's going on in - and now, around - Farmers Branch that will empower our Police and Fire Departments to enter a new era of efficiency and effectiveness.

Southbound Josey to undergo long term closure at LBJ, starting Tuesday

FARMERS BRANCH ~ As part of the ongoing LBJ Express project's reconstruction of the intersection of Josey Lane and Interstate 635, there will be a long-term closure of southbound Josey beginning Tuesday, January 20.

   LBJ Express officials said all southbound traffic will be detoured west along the frontage road and use the Denton Drive U-turn to get back to southbound Josey on the other side. Northbound Josey will have two lanes throughout the closure.

   Officials said lanes will be restored by Spring 2015.

 

Report shows Farmers Branch commercial concerns continued in the right direction in 2014

FARMERS BRANCH ~ More than 240 businesses either moved into Farmers Branch or expanded their existing footprint in 2014, accounting for 1.9 million square feet of space and more than 1,400 new jobs, according to Farmers Branch Managing Director John Land.

   In a presentation last week to the Farmers Branch City Council, Mr. Land said that 2014 saw local economic indicators continue to trend positively. His presentation came on the heels of news that the Farmers Branch Economic Development office was named to the Top 10 North Texas Economic Development agencies by the Dallas Business Journal for the fourth year in a row.

Farmers Branch Managing Director John Land

   Commercial property values in Farmers Branch were up 11.8 percent to $2.3 billion, while residential property increased 4.7 percent to $871 million.

   Mr. Land noted that office and warehouse occupancy rates were both on the rise at 76.2 percent and 92.2 percent, respectively.

   "Calendar year 2014 was a great year when more businesses found the benefits of locating in Farmers Branch," he said. "Notable relocations this year included Chamberlin Roofing, Ironclad Performance Wear, Big Game Football, eRecycling Corps, Prologis and Advanced Spice and Trading / Valdez Corporation, which will hold a groundbreaking on Thursday."

   Expansions include Softlayer, Pacific Union, Multimedia Systems, DCS and the retention/expansion of the headquarters for Monitronics, one of the nation's leading security monitoring firms, that will be moving from their undersized location at I-35E and Valley View, to a new campus under construction on the west side of Farmers Branch in Mercer Crossing.

An artist's rendering shows the finished campus of security monitoring firm, Monitronics, in Mercer Crossing on the west side of Farmers Branch.

   On the residential front, Mr. Land explained that the City's Demo/Rebuild Program, which offers incentives to homeowners who demolish an older home to replace it with a newer house, hit its stride in 2014.

   "Since the beginning of the program, City Council has approved 28 Demo/Rebuild applications," he said. "Seventeen of those were in 2014."

   Original value on the properties of those 28 applications was $1.4 million. Actual, or anticipated, value once the new homes are constructed is $10.1 million.

   Current multi-family projects are also adding a total of $267 million to the tax base. They include the Water's Edge and Mercer Crossing developments along Luna Road, south of LBJ. Mustang Station, near the DART Green Line Station, and The Brickyard, currently on the drawing board for the area adjacent to Monitronics. Mr. Land's presentation to the City Council can be seen at 4 p.m. on FBTV through January 19.

FBFD now registering for inside look at Fire Department procedures, policies and personnel

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Anyone wanting to learn more about the operations of the Farmers Branch Fire Department is invited to enroll in the Citizen Fire Academy, which gets underway March 5.

   The 10 class session are held on either Thursdays or Saturdays from early March through mid May and will cover topics and activities like: Fire Department History, Rank and Structure, CPR/AED training, Fire Demonstrations, Fire Station Tours, Emergency Operations Center, Vehicle Extrication, EMS Helicopter Landing, and Ride-Along Opportunities, among others.

   "If you ever wonder what it's like to be a firefighter or just want to know more about the Fire Department, I invite you to enroll today in the Farmers Branch Fire Department Citizen Fire Academy," said Fire Chief Steve Parker. "If you're over the age of 18 and live, work or go to school in Farmers Branch, you are welcome to participate and, best of all, it's free."

   Most classes will be held at Farmers Branch Fire Admin/Station No. 3 - 13333 Hutton Drive.

   To find out more or to apply for enrollment, call the Farmers Branch Fire Department at 972.919.2650.

   

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Three veteran Farmers Branch Police Officers were promoted up the chain of command before a standing-room-only crowd in the municipal courtroom at the Farmers Branch Justice Center on Friday.

   Farmers Branch Police Chief Sidney Fuller promoted Sergeant Erik Stokes to the rank of Lieutenant. Corporal Terry Eoff became a Sergeant, while Officer Matt McCain became the department's newest supervisor with the rank of Corporal.

   Chief Fuller praised all three for their years of dedicated service to the citizens of Farmers Branch and said expectations are high for their continued service.

 

MANSKE LIBRARY ~ In partnership with the Catholic Charities of Dallas, Inc. the Farmers Branch Manske Library will resume citizenship classes January 21.
   Classes to prepare for the United States citizenship test will be free, but seating is limited. Students must register before January 21, by calling Rigo Aguilar at 214.553.9909, ext. 144.
   For more information call the Library at 972.247.2511.

 

Farmers Branch Fire Department's Fire/EMS Logistics Coordinator Ken Muzalewski shares a light moment with current and former members of the department during retirement ceremonies held Friday in his honor at Fire Station No. 1. Ken began his career with Farmers Branch in 1991 and retires with nearly 24 years of service to the City. He was presented traditional gifts by colleagues including a Fire helmet and ax.

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ With an increase in recent auto and home burglaries, Farmers Branch Police are reminding people to eliminate the crime of opportunity and keep their doors locked.

   "There have been several offenses recently involving thieves entering unlocked cars, trucks, and most importantly, homes," said Lt. Mike Blum. "These have not been violent, home invasion-type offenses and, in most cases, weren't discovered until the following day."

   He explained that burglars will target unlocked vehicles, houses and storage buildings.

   "Reducing their opportunity by keeping all doors locked greatly reduces your risk of being a victim of property crime," he explained.

   For more information, call the Farmers Branch Police Department at 972.484.3620. 

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Residents are now receiving their annual supply of 84 paper trash sacks as the annual delivery process continues this week.

   Farmers Branch Public Works officials said crews began delivering the bundles of the 23-gallon sacks last week and will continue, weather permitting, until all neighborhoods have been covered. Officials expect delivery to be complete before the end of January. Call 972.919.2597.

 

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ After having to cancel the January 14 "Tell it to the Mayor" session, Mayor Bob Phelps plans to resume his normal open office hours schedule on January 28.

   Anyone can come by to speak to the Mayor for any reason, without an appointment during these session, regularly scheduled for the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month.

   Hours for "Tell it to the Mayor" sessions are from 3 until 6 p.m. Call 972.919.2515 for more information.