Crews respond to a house fire in Bullard. Officials say it was caused by a lightning strike and caught on fire twice. (Smith County Emergency Services District 2/Contributed Photo)

As a fire truck races to an emergency, most people might not realize Smith County Emergency Service Districts (ESD) are behind the scenes, ensuring fire suppression and rescue services for two separate districts.

On the Nov. 5 General Election ballot, Emergency Service Districts No. 1 and No. 2 are set to elect new commissioners. In District 1, voters will choose a commissioner for voting District 1, while in District 2, voters will elect commissioners for voting Districts 1 and 4.

Emergency Service Districts are political subdivisions funded by commercial and residential property taxes, along with sales tax revenue. District 1 covers 181 square miles with one fire department, District 2 spans 712 square miles and is organized into 11 departments.

The districts are divided into five voting districts to ensure representation across the entire area. Each is governed by a board of five elected commissioners, who serve four-year terms and are required to reside within the district they represent.

The Board of Commissioners is responsible for setting policies, adopting budgets and levying taxes, ensuring the ESD operates effectively and efficiently in providing emergency services to the community.

Incumbents are facing challenges for their seats, with both new and familiar faces eager to step into these roles. Voters can participate in elections occurring within the district where they reside.

There are 3,200 eligible voters in ESD1 District 4, approximately 11,700 in ESD2 District 1, and 13,000 in District 4.

ESD No. 1

Candidates for ESD 1 District 4 Commissioner are Ken Smith, Chris Bellar and Corey Crowell.

District 4 Commissioner

Smith, a lifelong Lindale resident, is seeking re-election as ESD1 District 4 Commissioner.

Born in Garden Valley, Smith graduated from Lindale High School before moving to Dallas for business school and working for 48 years with a surveying and mapping company. He has been married to his high school sweetheart and has a daughter, son, four granddaughters and a great-granddaughter.

After retiring in 2008, Smith became involved with Meals on Wheels, Sabine Cemetery and ESD1. While funding is vital, having adequate personnel is equally important for meeting the district’s needs.

Smith said when he joined the ESD board, he believed the fire department was stable. ESD1 was receiving a significant amount of tax revenue, but it was all being used to maintain daytime staffing at two fire stations, with volunteers covering nighttime calls.

He observed the area was growing, and tax revenue was increasing annually. It became apparent that additional revenue would be necessary to have 24-hour staffing at the fire station and expand the district’s coverage by constructing more fire stations. As a solution, the board decided to consider implementing a sales tax. Consequently, an election was held in 2023 to start receiving sales tax revenue.

The board was surprised by the amount of revenue generated, leading to the creation of a cash reserve. This reserve would be used to construct a new fire station and fund 24-hour staffing at two fire stations in the future.

Smith emphasized the main fire station, Station No. 1, requires either remodeling or complete reconstruction, and 24-hour staffing will be essential in the future. Adequate funding and personnel are necessary to bring this vision to reality.

Bellar, is a crew chief for special jobs at the Texas Department of Transportation, who is running for Commissioner of ESD District 4. Born and raised in Lindale, Bellar served 15 years with the Lindale Fire Department, rising to Assistant Chief before retiring. His father, a former city manager of Lindale, also served in the department, inspiring Bellar and his brother to join.

Due to vascular necrosis in both hips, Bellar can no longer fight fires but wants to support the department and the community. If elected to the board, he can still contribute by overseeing the department’s finances and helping to guide them in the right direction.

He won’t be the sole leader directing their plans; they have their own strategies, but the board’s role is to ensure necessary funds are available for them to carry out their plans.

He envisions the department growing with paid staff at each station, backed by volunteers to help when needed. Given the size of ESD 1, Bellar believes volunteers will remain essential, and the board’s role is to ensure the department has the funds to carry out its plans.

Bellar describes his leadership style as hands-on. He likes to be involved in every aspect of the project, from planning to seeing it through to the end. In his current role, he ensures that the job is done correctly and safely, and he is involved in just about everything.

He is a member of the Cross Brand Cowboy Church in Tyler and is part of its safety team. His job there is to ensure everyone is safe at church. The team takes care of any emerging threats and makes sure people can go to church and worship God safely.

A pressing issue facing the community is the need for volunteers. In addition to volunteers, paid staff is becoming increasingly important as the ESD continues to grow alongside the population. As the district expands, balancing the need for both volunteers and professional staff will be a critical focus moving forward.

Crowell, a battalion chief at a neighboring ESD, has lived in Lindale for 62 years and served over 46 years with the Lindale Volunteer Fire Department, including nine years as fire chief.

His firefighting career began at 16 in 1978, and he was the first Lindale firefighter to earn Texas Commission on Fire Protection certification. Crowell retired in 2015 as a station captain in Longview.

If elected, Crowell plans to secure full-time, certified firefighters on duty around the clock and increase transparency by sharing board decisions and budgets through video and social media. He also aims to use his fire service experience to educate the board and strengthen its fiscal responsibility to Smith County ESD 1 residents.

Crowell said his leadership style is collaborative and rooted in education. He plans to use his knowledge to inform and guide the board, fostering open dialogue to ensure all members fully understand the complexities of the fire service.

The biggest concern currently is staffing full-time firefighters. Transitioning to full-time, commissioned firefighters would ensure commitment and consistency. In October, efforts began to staff fire stations at night with part-time personnel, but according to feedback from some firefighters, this approach hasn’t been very effective.

While Lindale has excellent fire stations and equipment, the most critical asset is having enough people to staff those apparatus. In the fire service, a speedy response is essential to saving lives and property, making proper staffing a top priority.

Having spent many years in the community, Crowell has built numerous friendships and connections. Outside of his work, he enjoys camping with his wife and occasionally riding his motorcycle. He finds relaxation in spending time with friends, playing cornhole, and enjoying fellowship. His church family also plays a significant role in his life.

Crowell served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in the early 1980s and holds a fire science degree from Tyler Junior College. He has earned a fire service leadership certificate and holds the title of master firefighter through both the State Firefighters’ and Fire Marshals’ Association and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.

ESD No. 2

Candidates for ESD2 District 1 Commissioner are incumbent Brent Dominy and Quint Balkcom and District 4 Commissioner are incumbent Johnny Brown and Robert Templin.

District 1 Commissioner

Dominy is seeking re-election as District 1 Commissioner on the ESD2 board. A Flint resident since 2004, with roots in Cherokee County, he has worked in Smith County since the early 1990s and has a deep affection for East Texas.

With over 35 years in oil and gas engineering and construction, Dominy has managed complex global projects, equipping him with strong leadership skills. Inspired by the events of September 11, he decided to get involved in emergency services and agreed to run for ESD 2 in 2019.

As Board Treasurer, he prioritized responsible spending, ensuring emergency service providers have the funding needed for fire services across the county. He focuses on meeting community expectations by providing adequate equipment and well-trained staff, emphasizing effective service delivery is key.

Dominy addresses staffing challenges, particularly the decline in volunteer firefighters, by fostering a culture of accountability and creating opportunities for aspiring volunteers and professionals. He has implemented fair procurement processes and introduced a fleet scoring matrix to manage aging equipment.

The main challenge for the district is effectively allocating taxpayer funds while ensuring readiness with both personnel and equipment. ESD2 operates a mix of volunteer and paid responder stations, relying on dedicated volunteers while ensuring trained responders are always available. With exceptional training and practical experience offered, the district aims to enhance emergency services and better serve the community.

Balkcom, a retired Major Texas Game Warden with over 21 years of experience, commanded a 36-county area, overseeing law enforcement and emergency response activities, including drownings and criminal investigations. His extensive career within the Texas Parks and Wildlife uniform division spans diverse regions such as North Texas and the Panhandle, equipping him with valuable insights.

His top three priorities as he seeks re-election include building relationships with board members and stakeholders, making informed and honest budget decisions, and bridging the divide between volunteer and full-time personnel. Balkcom emphasizes collaboration and transparency, believing that effective communication and mutual respect are vital for delivering quality services to the community. He aims to foster a united front in emergency services for the benefit of all East Texans.

Outside of his professional career, Balkcom recently completed his tenure as president of the Texas Game Warden Association and the Game Warden Peace Officers Association, focusing on legislative issues affecting peace officers statewide. Locally, he has served as a past president and board member of the Smith County Peace Officers Association, where he provides monthly meals for their luncheons, cooking for fellow law enforcement officers, retirees, attorneys, and judges.

Faith plays an important role in his life; he remains a member of the United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs. With his parents now closer, he looks forward to finding a church family to attend together. In his leisure time, Balkcom enjoys scuba diving, fishing, hunting, and supporting his children in their sports activities, including football, tennis, and golf.

District 4 Commissioner

Brown is the current president of the board for Emergency Services District 2 (ESD 2). He was elected as a commissioner in 2020 after defeating incumbent Randy Melton. Brown is well-equipped for his position, having 47 years of experience as a volunteer firefighter, 32 years with East Texas Medical Center EMS, and 39 years as a certified peace officer in various roles across Smith County.

Motivated to serve his community, Brown started as a volunteer firefighter in high school. He aims to grow the district while responsibly managing resources and providing cost-effective services without increasing residents’ tax burdens. Brown describes his leadership style as open and approachable, maintaining an open-door policy to encourage communication. He leads by example, respecting team members’ autonomy while offering guidance based on his extensive experience.

Templin, owner of C&R Service and Repair, is running for the Smith County Emergency Service District No. 2 Commissioner, District 4 seat. Templin is a Whitehouse resident who wants to serve the community as he approaches retirement. His father, a long-time police officer in Shreveport, inspired his passion for public service.

Templin’s commitment to emergency services deepened following a personal experience in 1976 when his family’s home burned down in Panola County, highlighting the critical need for timely responses. He emphasizes fiscal responsibility and aims to keep tax rates manageable while ensuring emergency services are fully staffed and trained. Eager to learn and address community needs, Templin is dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of local emergency services.

Early voting continues through Nov. 1 in the General Election. Polls are open from 7 to 7 p.m. at the following locations:

First Christian Church — Christian Life Center Room 5: 4202 S. Broadway Ave, Tyler

Heritage Building: 1900 Bellwood Road, Tyler

The Hub: 304 E. Ferguson Street, Tyler

Kinzie Community Center: 912 Mt. Sylvan St., Lindale

Noonday Community Center: 16662 CR 196, Tyler

Starrville Church of the Living God, 18396 Highway 271, Winona

Whitehouse Methodist Church: 405 W. Main Street, Whitehouse

Green Acres Baptist Church – Flint Campus, at 1010 CR 137, Flint

Election Day is Nov. 5 when 38 polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. across the county.

MORE COVERAGE: Read a detailed voter guide breaking down each race on the ballot and specifics about other races at tylerpaper.com/elections.