Statement from Bryan Fire Chief Richard Giusti

Recent social media posts regarding Bryan Fire Department vehicles and stations do not reflect the full picture regarding maintaining and monitoring the Fire Department fleet.

Every fire department in the nation faces equipment and facility challenges, the Bryan Fire Department is no exception. What matters is how those issues are addressed. Our team works to resolve problems as quickly as possible while navigating parts availability, citywide fleet priorities, and the governmental processes that apply to all public-sector maintenance.

Every fire apparatus is checked daily by our firefighters to ensure it is safe, stocked, and operational before it rolls out the door. This daily check by our crews is one of the strongest safeguards in the fire service.

Some of the concerns being raised today originate from an offer from the city that followed the recent Meet and Confer negotiations. After the negotiation process concluded, the city presented an offer to extend the agreement from four years to six years in exchange for considering a 48/96 work schedule. It was shortly after this proposal that union leadership began amplifying new issues not been raised or documented during negotiations. Providing this context is important so the public understands the timing and nature of the concerns now being circulated.

The facts about ensuring public safety and services continue every day:

• All apparatus concerns are formally logged, tracked, and repaired through an established process.
• Any unit with a safety or performance issue is immediately swapped with a reserve whenever one is available.
• Even when a frontline unit is temporarily down for repair, fire and EMS service remains fully supported through reserves, staffing adjustments, and mutual-aid capabilities.

Our firefighters and Fleet Services personnel deserve credit as they keep the Fire Department mission-ready every single day. The professionalism and dedication ensure the City of Bryan continues to receive dependable fire and EMS service.

Going forward, I remain available to answer questions from our firefighters, city leadership, and the public through our established and official communication processes. I will not engage in reactive exchanges on social media or respond to every public statement. That approach creates more confusion than clarity. My focus is on providing accurate information through the appropriate channels so we can resolve issues constructively and keep the department and our community moving forward. Our shared focus continues to be the safety and well-being of the community we serve.

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