Construction and renovation under way for Oak Ridge North, The Woodlands' fire stations

Deputy Chief of safety and training Tommy Erickson said the burn facility simulates fire in its different stages of growth, from flashover conditions to extended and more advanced fire conditions.

Erickson said the burn facility will enable firefighters to conduct exercises in fire extinguishment, ventilation, and rescue.

The Woodlands oldest fire station, Fire Station No. 2, at 9303 Gosling Road, is also under renovation. The Montgomery County Hospital District and The Woodlands fire department have partnered to build a $1.9 million expansion that will include a fire department and EMS personnel.

"We have a great partnership with the hospital district, which in turn provides a higher level of service by having an ambulance crew there as well," said Woodlands Township Fire Chief Alan Benson.

Benson said the partnership between the fire station and the MCHD provides more efficient responses to the community because the ambulance crew shares a building with the fire station.

"They can respond a lot quicker to a majority of the incidents in The Woodlands because they are in the center," Benson said.

The expansion allows for a crew of seven to be housed around the clock. The previous fire station was a large room petitioned off for personnel, Benson said. The new facility includes seven individual rooms, including separate offices for EMS and fire office.

"We look forward to getting the project completed and anticipate completing in the first quarter of 2015," said Benson.