The Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department’s (MVFD) 28,000 square foot facility, currently under construction, is headed for a spring 2010 opening, according to Chief Gary Vincent.

The facility, which Vincent said has been in the works for “several years,” will be the central headquarters for all Magnolia volunteer fire stations and the main storage facility for fleet vehicles.

Above, the Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department’s new 28,000 square foot facility is scheduled to open in spring 2010 and will be serve as the department’s central headquarters.

Photo by Holly Dutton

Moving to a new location became mandatory after the Texas Department of Transportation revealed plans to widen FM 1774, a move that will put the roadway within two feet of the front of the current headquarters off FM 1774 and Gayle Street, making it impossible for fire trucks to pull out into traffic.

Vincent said the facility is being funded through existing revenue.

“We’re not getting bonds or asking for a tax increase,” he said.

Among the features of the new facility are a central training center, a maintenance facility for repairs, a central storage area, storage for self-contained breathing apparatus systems and a weight training facility exercise room.

It will also have - in the event of an emergency or failure of the radio system - a backup radio system capability for dispatch.

“We’ve combined a number of facilities into a central location,” Vincent said.  “It’s more efficient and reduces operating cost. Because of this facility, we’ll be able to move our 100-foot ladder truck to the new location. It won’t fit where we are right now. It’ll be where it needs to be by the taller buildings in the community.”

The station will serve a 320-square mile area, serving communities from The Woodlands to the Waller County line.

The reason the facility is so big is because a large portion of the building is for storage of fire trucks.

“Approximately 9,500 of the 28,000 square foot ground floor space is apparatus storage,” Vincent said.

So far, the facility has garnered positive response from the community, Vincent said.

“The city’s been very supportive and excited,” he said. “They believe it will be an asset and bring new business to the community.”

Vincent said he is looking forward to how the new facility will impact the community.

“I think that the opportunity to do something exciting for the citizens of Magnolia is really remarkable,” he said.

For more information, visit www.magnoliafire.org.

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