Spring Fire Department opens training center honoring W.W. “Cotton” Weaver

THE WOODLANDS, TX — The Spring Fire Department officially opens Phase I of the W.W. “Cotton” Weaver Training Center, a state-of-the-art complex designed to enhance firefighter training, emergency response capabilities and equipment maintenance.

Fire department leaders, elected officials and community members gathered today for a ceremony, tours and demonstrations at the new facility located at 26200 Lexington Road in Spring.

Phase I includes a centralized support services building and two custom-designed training buildings featuring more than two dozen reconfigurable burn areas inside both a three-story apartment building and a two-story house for realistic emergency scenarios.

Fire Chief Scott Seifert said the first phase marks a significant milestone for the department and the community.

“Operational efficiency has a new address,” Seifert said. “This facility allows our crews to train at the highest level while maintaining the equipment they rely on every day to protect lives and property.”

The center is named in honor of Wilbur Waldo “Cotton” Weaver, one of the department’s earliest volunteers and longest-serving fire chief.

From 1953 until his passing on January 14, 2026, Chief Weaver was a guiding presence. Members of his family attended the ceremony, which also included representatives from federal, state and local elected officials who presented proclamations and honors recognizing the department and the significance of the new facility.

Harris County Emergency Services District No. 7 Board President Melanie Gander highlighted the impact, noting that Spring firefighters responded to a record number of calls in 2025 and saved more than $153 million in property.

“What started as a small volunteer operation has grown into a highly trained, professional organization committed to total community safety,” Gander said. “This center ensures our firefighters have the resources to continue their mission.”

Proclamations and flags were presented by local, state and federal elected offices. Texas State Representative Valoree Swanson addressed attendees, praising the investment in public safety and the department’s service to the region.

Phase II will add additional training structures to further expand capabilities. “This is not the end of the project — it’s the beginning,” Seifert added. “We’re building the future of the fire service right here in Spring.”