The Woodlands Township has reached an agreement with Cypress Creek Emergency Medical Services to house an ambulance at The Woodlands Fire Department's Station No. 7, located at 26772 Kuykendahl Road in Harris County.

The agreement, approved by the township board in April, means The Woodlands will now be serviced by four ambulances 24 hours per day, seven days per week, Woodlands Fire Chief Alan Benson said.

"We think [the additional ambulance] provides a higher level of services to our constituents," Benson said. "[The Cypress Creek EMS ambulances] will more than likely be available to our constituents more often than not."

The new ambulance service to the western portion of The Woodlands in the Village of Creekside Park now gives the community coverage in most of its geographic areas. The township also renewed its agreement with the Montgomery County Hospital District to house ambulances at Station 4 at 7900 Bay Branch, at Station 5 at 10100 Branch Crossing and at Station 8 at 11800 Gosling Road.

"[The additional service] certainly will decrease response time averages," Benson said.

As per the agreement, the township pays $1,000 per month, up from 750 per month, per unit for 24-hour-per-day coverage to Cypress Creek EMS and Montgomery County Hospital District for a total of $4,000 per month. Benson said the money the township pays helps offset the cost of utilities.

Although the four units will provide the primary ambulance coverage to The Woodlands, Benson said other ambulances could be dispatched throughout the community if they are needed.

"The system will draw ambulances as needed throughout both counties," Benson said. "[The four ambulances] are the primary response units for this area."

The agreement went into effect May 1.

The Woodlands Township, The Woodlands Township Office, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd., 281-210-3800, www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov