Missouri City Fire Station 5 is opening its doors July 1 to begin serving the southern portion of Sienna Plantation.

The new 7,848-square-foot station is located on Waters Lake Boulevard and is geared to decrease response times in Sienna Plantation, said Russell Sander, Fire and Rescues Services chief. “The addition of the station will decrease response times in Sienna South by half, bringing it within national standards of five minutes and 20 seconds for the majority of the area,” he said. Fire Station 5 is also equipped with a third bay for future expansion and a possible ambulance. Sander said although the fire station provides the same functions as Fire Station 4, it has a larger living area to house additional firefighters as the station and the surrounding area grows. “The hiring of new fire and rescue services staff to man the station and drive fire and rescue vehicles will also alleviate the city’s other fire stations, benefiting residents across all districts,” Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen said. Missouri City City Council approved a contract between the city and Sienna Plantation Municipal Utility District No. 1 during its March 2 meeting to detail funding for operational and capital costs, employing, equipping and training 12 new firefighters.