SpaceX is quietly standing up a volunteer fire department to serve the sprawling launch-and-manufacturing Starbase complex, tightening its control over emergency response at a site known for rapid — and sometimes explosive — rocket development.

A certificate of formation filed with the Texas Secretary of State on June 30 shows the creation of what’s called the Starbase Volunteer Fire Department. The nonprofit entity lists its headquarters as 1 Rocket Road in Brownsville, the principal address of SpaceX. Two of the three directors named on the filing are SpaceX employees: Cody Dye, environmental health and safety manager, and Kevin Bagnall, in-house counsel. The certificate is signed by another SpaceX lawyer, Stephen Herndon.

The filing says the organization will “aid, promote and pro

See Full Page