Ray J. Sidwell is a resident of Katy, Texas for 39 years and a 31-year veteran in Fire and Emergency Medical Services.

Chief Sidwell holds an Associate Degree in EMS from Houston Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire and Emergency Services Administration from Texas A&M University-San Antonio.  His current certifications include Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Structural Firefighter – Intermediate, TCFP Instructor I, TCFP Fire Officer I, Licensed Paramedic, and EMS Instructor. Chief Sidwell also attended several classes at the National Fire Academy that included: Leadership I, Management of EMS, and Administration of Public Assistance for Community Recovery. He began his career as a volunteer with West Harris County Emergency Medical Services in 1989. He has worked professionally for the City of Wharton EMS, Harris County ESD No. 1, City of Katy Fire Department, West I-10 Fire Department, and Harris County ESD No. 48.  He has been in several Chief Officer roles with the District since the department’s inception in August 2015.

In his current role as Assistant Fire Chief of Administration, he handles a variety of administrative responsibilities that support the Fire Chief and the District Board of Commissioners. These duties include overseeing the development and management of the District budget, FEMA / TIFMAS Public Assistance reimbursements, contractural agreements, high information technologies, and short and long term planning. Currenty Chief Sidwell is the District’s liason and Building Committee chairman for the construction of new Fire Station No. 1.