The Fulshear Simonton Fire Department opened a new fire station in early October, providing fire protection services to the growing community.

The gist

An Oct. 9 event celebrated the hose uncoupling ceremony and grand opening of the FSFD’s third permanent fire station in Cross Creek Ranch.The facility is a public-private venture between the FSFD—also known as Fort Bend County Emergency Services District No. 4.—and Johnson Development, who donated the land, ESD No. 4 board President Ed Krenek said.

“This northside of Cross Creek and what Johnson Development has here, this really serves our citizens within the city limits of Fulshear,” Fulshear Mayor Don McCoy said.

Digging deeper

Construction on the $6.7 million station began in April 2023. The 9,715-square-foot facility replaces a temporary fire station that previously opened in the Cross Creek Ranch area in January 2022, Community Impact reported.

Located at 8825 W. Cross Creek Bend Lane, the station is the only manned station within the city of Fulshear, McCoy said.

The station will address the growing needs within the boundaries of the FSFD, Krenek said. The district serves 106 square miles that includes three cities—Fulshear, Simonton and Weston Lakes—and about 120,000 residents.

“Because of our growth, it is anticipated by 2035 for us to have 11 to 12 stations in just this district,” Krenek said. “So the needs are fast, but we’re meeting the challenge [and] we intend to meet the challenge to build facilities as best we can to keep up with what the citizens deserve and need.”What they’re saying

FSFD firefighters Ricardo Roman and Steven Morales said they came to work at the department due to the opportunities the area’s growth brings. Population growth means new stations, more captain positions and more chief positions, Roman said.

“It feels like the sky's the limit over here. Every other department seems to be landlocked, but there’s no cap right now,” Morales said.What's next

Meanwhile, the department plans to break ground soon on a new station in downtown next to the old volunteer fire department station at 30626 Fifth St., Fulshear, ESD officials said.

McCoy said this future station—which ESD officials said will open in 2026—could be a focal point in the downtown area, where city officials have revitalization plans.

“That fire department will be sort of an iconic piece at the end of Harris [Street], and we would like to also bring maybe our future City Hall back downtown, because as we grow where we are currently, our police officers ... [are] going to need a bigger space,” he said. “So we’re looking towards the future, and we’re trying to be more proactive than reactive.”