Timber Lakes Volunteer Fire Department breaks ground on new station

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Organizers and community leaders gathered in the Timber Lakes / Timber Ridge subdivision to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the newly designed fire station to be built for the Timber Lakes Volunteer Fire Department.

Chief Josh Kennedy led the outdoor ceremony. Representatives from Eikon, the architecture firm responsible for the design of the new station, and Gullo Construction Company, the firm that will build it, spoke, as did a resident of Timber lakes who had gone to Austin in the initial attempt to get the station’s approval off the ground.

To the assembly, Kennedy said, “Your unwavering support has been invaluable. Having a community that stands behind us is one of the greatest honors.”

Ritch Wheeler, the Commissioner-elect of Precinct 3 who will replace incumbent James Noack, was invited to give an impromptu speech. “This day is so important,” he said. “Our first responders are what keep our community safe. You can absolutely bet I’ll be there for events like this. This is important work they do; they support the community because they love it. And all we need to do is just give them a little something back to show our support and appreciation. I want to be as involved as they’ll allow me.”

Phase 1 of the construction, which is scheduled to take 334 days to complete, includes a three-bay station and enhanced facilities for the firefighters to conduct their shifts. The department is composed of both professional firefighters and volunteers, many of whom are certified professional firefighters themselves.

Jason Millsaps, chief of staff for County Judge Mark Keough – who couldn’t attend due to out-of-town duties concerning the aftermath of Beryl – spoke with Woodlands Online about the event. Millsaps is also executive director of the Montgomery County’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

“This is a huge deal for this community. This fire department has grown so large that the station they usually reside in isn’t adequate enough for their size. So, to better prepare them to properly service this community, this station is vital to the future of this department and the community as a whole,” he said. “I’m blessed; I’m a member of this department, so I’m particularly looking forward to it.”

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