The Woodlands Township on April 23 unveiled the community's new Central Fire Station at 9951 Grogan's Mill Road. The station, which serves as a hub of The Woodlands Fire Department, the Township Emergency Operations Center, The Woodlands Fire Communication Center and The Woodlands Fire Administration offices, provides fire protection to Town Center and the Villages of Grogan's Mill and Panther Creek.

" The Woodlands Fire Department is committed to providing our residents a high standard of care," said Fire Chief Alan Benson. "We now have eight stations and an emergency training center that serves our approximately 44-square mile community with excellent service."

The new 26,610-square-foot Central Fire Station features four apparatus bays, living quarters, 12 dorm rooms, administrative offices, conference and study rooms, work rooms, a decontamination room and a physical wellness area. The station houses a fire engine, command vehicle, ladder truck, rescue boat, attack vehicle and Montgomery County Hospital District unit.

Construction began on the $7.3-million Central Fire Station in February 2012. The station was funded through a $41 million bond approved by township voters in 2009. The bond program also funded new fire stations in the Villages of Creekside Park and Indian Springs.

The newly constructed Central Fire Station replaces the previous central fire station in the same location, which served as The Woodlands' original fire station since the community's inception in 1974.