The donations come as the department waits for bond money that voters approved, which won't be available until next year.

The latest boost came Thursday night, when City Councilmember Brenda Stardig and the Firefighters Foundation of Houston presented the department with a $52,000 check -- enough for two additional swiftwater rescue boats.

"I hope my colleagues join with us to add more boats around the city," said Stardig, who represents District A and chairs the council's Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. She announced the donations at her district's give-back holiday party, which was held at a local brewery and attended by hundreds of constituents and first-responders.

The city filed a lawsuit against Shea Homes last year, claiming that Shea agreed in 2006 to have a functional station constructed in the area by the time 600 homes were built in the Summer Lakes development near East Cypress and Bethel Island roads but failed to do so.

Fire Chief Brian Helmick said in a press release that the agreement sets out the minimum requirements, size and features of the new station and engine, but the city and district plan to work cooperatively on more specific and detailed plans and timelines.