The district also opened a new Station No. 5 to replace the old facility, which was damaged in Hurricane Harvey, and broke ground on a replacement facility for Station No. 1 in 2021.
In 2022, ESD officials will continue work on their long-term strategic plan to ultimately grow to 22 fire stations, Balez said. This could include the purchase of land for Stations Nos. 14 and 15 in the western part of the district. Older facilities are also being refurbished or rebuilt.
“We’re trying to balance growing while at the same time spending funds to fix [or improve] the stations that are already existing,” Balez said. “One thing we found [is] these facilities were built for a volunteer department, which wasn’t always manned. ... These older stations aren’t equipped for [full-time staff].”
The reconstruction of Station No. 1 is slated for completion in May, and construction on a new Station No. 6 is expected to start in 2022.
Balez said the district is also looking to purchase land to move Station No. 10 in east Cy-Fair, and Stations Nos. 3 and 8 will likely be refurbished in 2022 as well.
Learn more about local fire stations here.
