Renovations underway for Oak Ridge North, The Woodlands fire stations

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

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

Located at 9303 Gosling Road, Fire Station No. 2, is the oldest fire station in The Woodlands and is also under renovation. The Montgomery County Hospital District and The Woodlands Township have partnered to fund a $1.9 million expansion and renovation project that will include fire department facilities and room for emergency medical service 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," Woodlands Township fire chief Alan Benson said.

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.

"[Fire Station No. 2] 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 at Fire Station No. 2. 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 personnel and fire.

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