Southwest Dallas County is a growing area with a growing problem, emergency response.

The problem is especially an issue near the Grand Prairie-Cedar Hill border, which is where fire response times often approach 20 minutes. Now, the two towns have joined efforts in order to do something about it.

In Grand Prairie, a railroad track that divides the town can slow emergency vehicles. Distance has also proven to be problematic for rescuers.

"Grand Prairie is very long and lean," said Amy Sprinkles, a spokesperson for the city.

The city's shape can become a costly issue when it comes to emergency response times.

"Even today, both Cedar Hill and Grand Prairie are looking at a 12 to 17 minute response time," said Grand Prairie Chief Clif Nelson, referring to the southern area near the Cedar Hill-Grand Prairie border.

Nelson said that response time is unacceptable, especially at a time when tens of thousands of new residents are expected to flood the area over the next few years.

"That's too long for those residents to wait for either Cedar Hill or Grand Prairie," he said.

But Grand Prairie and Cedar Hill officials hope a shared fire station created to assist underserved neighborhoods will ease that problem.

"It covers people faster, and for quite frankly, a little less money because we're doing it with Cedar Hill," Sprinkles said.

Other cities have taken similar action. Fort Worth and Hurst joined forces, as well as Bedford and Colleyville. However, no two North Texas cities have ever shared the cost and responsibility of building a fire station together.

Chief Nelson said there will likely be tough times ahead.

"There will be days where our resources are stretched pretty thin," he said.

However, he said that hopefully won't be the case for long.

"We're also going to be building one more that breaks ground this year, and another one in the near future," he said.

The new fire station is scheduled to be completed in 2009.

Both cities will reassess the situation in 10 years to see if it's worth continuing the partnership.

E-mail bgreene@wfaa.com