The Woodlands Fire Department opens new Station 5 with ‘uncoupling’ ceremony

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Recently, The Woodlands Fire Department held an open house and grand opening ceremony of its new Station 5, now located at 8005 McBeth Way near Branch Crossing and Woodlands Pkwy.

Fire Chief Palmer Buck greeted the assembly of dozens of members of the community, the media, elected officials, and more who came to celebrate the opening. The event included speeches by Township Board Chairman Brad Bailey, Vice Chairman of the Montgomery County Hospital District Bob Bagley, MCHD Treasurer Chris Grice, MCHD CEO Randy Johnson, Ricardo Martinez of Martinez Architects, and Jeremy Stoval, President of Brookstone Construction Company.

Bailey was particularly affected by the situation, telling the crowd in his speech of a recent home fire that would have been a complete catastrophe for his family had it not been for the quick response time and actions of TWFD.

After the indoor speeches, the assembly gathered out front in the frigid air to witness the raising of the flags, followed by the ‘uncoupling of the hose,’ a fire department version of a ribbon cutting. The ceremony concluded with the apparatus back-in (filling the bays with the emergency vehicles) and the official announcement that the new Station 5 was in service.

Before and after the ceremony, tours were given of the facility, which includes locker areas, dormitories, a workout center, offices, training areas, a kitchen and living area, and even sliding poles.

The new station was approved in August of 2024 by the Township Board of Directors. The 23,000-square-foot facility acting as the west headquarters houses an engine company, a truck (ladder) company, a battalion chief, a collapse rescue truck, and two MCHD medic units (one full-time, one peak-time). The station is designed for nine firefighters, along with MCHD paramedics, and can handle high call volumes, improve regional coordination, and accommodate future growth in the western part of the Township.

“We’re so excited at this new Station 5 grand opening,” Chief Buck told Woodlands Online. “The board supported us to give us the station we need to cover the west side. We came in on time and under budget, which was approximately $12 million. Brookstone Construction has been fantastic, and Martinez Architects were wonderful partners.”

“This is a long time coming,” Brad Bailey told Woodlands Online. “This new station will do a lot to keep our community safe.”

The former Station 5, located on Branch Crossing, will be used now primarily for storage and overflow purposes.

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