Back to Anna

Princeton Fire Station 4 Closes; HR Dept Wins State Award

Fire Station 4 shuts down starting June 29, while the city's HR department receives a national recognition award for employee engagement initiatives.

Demarcus Ramos

July 4, 20262 min read

Fire station closure, HR award - illustration, Jake Team LLC
Fire station closure, HR award - illustration, Jake Team LLC

The Princeton Fire Department has announced that Fire Station 4 will be temporarily closed starting Monday, June 29, 2026. Residents are advised to note this change in service availability. Princeton is located approximately 12 miles south of Anna.

In a separate update, the City of Princeton issued a warning regarding a rise in scam activity across North Texas. Officials cautioned residents to remain vigilant against fraudsters who impersonate local government agencies, utility providers, libraries, and public safety organizations.

On the personnel front, the City of Princeton Human Resources Department received the Human Resources Impact Award, specifically the Award of Distinction for municipalities with populations of 25,000 or more. The honor was presented on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the Texas Municipal Human Resources Association Annual Conference in Round Rock.

The award recognizes departments that demonstrate outstanding leadership through innovative programs addressing municipal human resources challenges. The Princeton HR team was cited for initiatives implemented over the past 18 months that delivered measurable results and improved organizational culture.

A key factor in this recognition was the Employee Appreciation Committee, established in 2024 by the Director of Employee Experience. This group focused on making employee voices central to recognition efforts. The committee launched the City’s Annual Employee Appreciation Event, which saw 89 percent participation. Year-round activities, including department appreciation days, achieved a 98 percent participation rate.

The department also introduced specific recognition efforts for teams with limited prior opportunities, such as Utility Billing Appreciation Day. Additionally, the City held its first Director Team Building Outing to strengthen collaboration among leadership and improve inter-departmental communication.

These efforts occurred during a period of higher-than-normal leadership turnover. Despite these challenges, the City reported a 3 percent decrease in employee turnover compared to the previous year. The department also integrated the IMPACT core values framework, developed through collaboration with City leadership and the City Council, into its culture initiatives.

The success of these programs contributed to the City being named a Top Workplace in the Dallas–Fort Worth region and by USA Today. The department also earned Culture Badges for cross-team cooperation and trusted leadership.

Source: princetontx.gov.

Sources

https://princetontx.gov/m/NewsFlash

Share

Demarcus Ramos

Demarcus Ramos writes about community life, schools, public safety, and local events in Anna.

Related Stories

More in Texas

Texas

Governor Appoints New Comptroller to Lead Texas State Finances

Gov. Greg Abbott appointed former state Sen. Don Huffines as Texas comptroller, tapping the Dallas-area businessman and one-time political rival to oversee state revenue collection, tax disbursements and the Economic Stabilization Fund.

Demarcus RamosJuly 4, 20262 min read