BOLIVAR — County commissioners could vote Wednesday to approve a contract with Galveston to provide fire protection and emergency medical services on Bolivar Peninsula.

Hurricane Ike’s storm surge destroyed fire department buildings on the peninsula when it came ashore in the county Sept. 13, producing severe flooding and damaging much of the upper Texas coast.

John Simsen, the Galveston County emergency management coordinator, said plans call for a seven-person firefighting crew to operate from Crenshaw Elementary School beginning Saturday.Commissioners delayed a vote at last week’s meeting, to allow time to ensure reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough estimated earlier this month the cost to use Galveston firefighters could be $160,000 a month. 

Simsen said Galveston firefighters could service the peninsula in 30-day increments, giving area volunteers much needed rest. 

“All the volunteers providing mutual aid that we’ve been relying on are spent and tapped out,” Simsen said. “We’ll use paid firefighters for a short time to help us through the crisis.” 

Yarbrough said the firefighters could also provide minimal emergency medical service, in case those residents or contractors working to clear debris and repair damaged homes become injured. 

Commissioner Pat Doyle, who represents the peninsula, said he hoped the county would have an answer by Wednesday on whether FEMA would fund the measure. 

“We have EMS coverage out of High Island, and we’re working through the health district to set up a permanent EMS station in Crystal Beach,” Doyle said. “The goal is to have two (ambulances) by the 15th of November. It’s a critical issue. We want people to know we’re protecting them.”