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Stage 3 Water Restrictions. 1. No watering allowed. 2. Drip irrigation for foundation and garden is allowed every other week on the designated watering day. 3. Hand watering of the home foundations, trees, vegetable gardens, shrubs and potted plants is allowed any day with a handheld hose, bucket, or small watering can. 4. Swimming ppols can be maintained but must have covers when not in use. 5. Home car washing is limited to bucket (five gallon) washing on the designated watering day.

Council Approves Purchase of New Arson Vehicle Unit

March 25, 2025

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX—At today's regularly scheduled City Council meeting, Mayor Paulette Guajardo and the Council approved a grant application for $92,387 to purchase a replacement Arson K-9 Response Vehicle for the Corpus Christi Fire Department (CCFD). The grant funding comes from the Office of the Governor of the State of Texas and the Public Safety Office under the Criminal Justice Grant Program.

The vehicle will have K-9 equipment and investigation evidence storage installed. This vehicle will facilitate the transportation of crime scene evidence that must be sent to the lab for analysis. Additionally, it will be outfitted with essential K-9 safety features designed to monitor the vehicle's interior temperature, ensuring the K-9 does not overheat.

“The safety of our residents is always our top priority. This new arson investigation vehicle will enhance our Fire Department’s ability to respond quickly, investigate thoroughly, and ultimately help prevent future incidents,” said Mayor Paulette Guajardo. “It’s an important investment in protecting lives and property across Corpus Christi.”

“This replacement vehicle will appropriately outfit our team with a dependable response vehicle to maximize the safety of both the Investigator and the K-9,” Corpus Christi Fire Chief Brandon Wade said. “Having a safe interior environment for the K-9 to ride in, as well as keeping the Investigator’s equipment isolated from the cab, is critical to the well-being of our firefighters.”

Key features of the vehicle include:

  • A kennel compartment in the back seat
  • A temperature monitoring system
  • A remote temperature monitoring pager system
  • Window fans within the kennel
  • A “bailout” remote door opening system

With an increase in arson cases, rising from an average of 56 annually to 84 over the past decade, there is a greater need for the Arson Investigator and K-9 team. In FY 2024, the Arson Investigator K-9 team responded to 69 calls, resulting in six arrests.

CCFD is the only department within a 100-mile radius with a certified arson dog handler and has assisted other municipalities, including Alice, Aransas Pass, and Portland.

For more information, media representatives can contact Senior Public Information Officer Gabriela Morrow at 361-826-3583 or email GabrielaM@cctexas.com.