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The Woodlands FD training center dedicated
  
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By JAKE MUONIO
The Woodlands Fire Department dedicated its new Emergency Training Center Thursday, with officials promoting plans to use the 20,000-square-foot facility for regional training.
Bruce Tough, president of The Woodlands Fire Department, credited TWFD Fire Chief Alan Benson for coming up with the concept for “one incredible facility.”
The building, located at 16135 Interstate 45 just north of Texas 242, features a six-story tower on one end that can be used for tower and confined space training exercises. From the tower, the training structure leads into a simulated two- and three-story residential structure.
As part of the dedication, fire fighters demonstrated a rappelling rescue on the tower, and practiced a simulated response situation on a burning vehicle.
Benson spoke of the department’s goal for the facility: cooperative fire and law enforcement training between a broad range of area agencies.
“It provides a common area for all the emergency services to achieve the federal goal of integrated emergency management,” Benson said of the center. “… It is a true team sport when you all have to go out there and respond.”
For low-visibility training, the entire structure can be filled with smoke — the sort that is intended to not smell or be unsightly to the residents living in nearby Harper’s Landing.
In addition, the 13-acre site includes numerous paved areas, including a concrete cul-de-sac to allow for training on streets similar to those found throughout The Woodlands.
Classrooms will be put to use, in part, by Lone Star College — Montgomery, which added a fire certification program to its offerings.
“We’ll be able to prepare together, respond together and recover together,” Benson said.
In addition to improving the cooperative training among emergency officials in the state and across the country, Benson said the opening of the ETC is a key component in The Woodlands’ application to improve its ISO rating. The rating, which TWFD hopes to improve from a 3 to a 2, factors into property insurance premiums.
Benson said that a rating increase to an ISO 2 will equate to a decrease in insurance premiums by about 8 percent for homeowners and about 3 percent for businesses.
Tough thanked leaders from The Woodlands Township, The Woodlands Community Association and The Woodlands Association for partnering to make the training center a reality.
“This is truly a milestone in The Woodlands history,” said Joel Deretchin, chair of The Woodlands Association board, and the former president of TWFD Board.
Deretchin, who recalled his days with TWFD dating back to the time it was a volunteer department with two lime green pumper trucks, also thanked the other local officials who created an economic development district to fund the construction of the ETC using sales tax revenue.
“The Woodlands community has always gives tremendous support to our fire department,” he said.
Emergency Training Center features
Six administrative/instructor offices
Library
Media room
Reception area
Work stations
Work rooms
Break room
Large, dividable classroom
Four labs
Three apparatus/storage bays
Breathing air fill station
Gear storage
Exercise facility
Drill tower
Paved drill ground area
Physical wellness area
Bruce Tough, president of The Woodlands Fire Department, credited TWFD Fire Chief Alan Benson for coming up with the concept for “one incredible facility.”
The building, located at 16135 Interstate 45 just north of Texas 242, features a six-story tower on one end that can be used for tower and confined space training exercises. From the tower, the training structure leads into a simulated two- and three-story residential structure.
As part of the dedication, fire fighters demonstrated a rappelling rescue on the tower, and practiced a simulated response situation on a burning vehicle.
Benson spoke of the department’s goal for the facility: cooperative fire and law enforcement training between a broad range of area agencies.
“It provides a common area for all the emergency services to achieve the federal goal of integrated emergency management,” Benson said of the center. “… It is a true team sport when you all have to go out there and respond.”
For low-visibility training, the entire structure can be filled with smoke — the sort that is intended to not smell or be unsightly to the residents living in nearby Harper’s Landing.
In addition, the 13-acre site includes numerous paved areas, including a concrete cul-de-sac to allow for training on streets similar to those found throughout The Woodlands.
Classrooms will be put to use, in part, by Lone Star College — Montgomery, which added a fire certification program to its offerings.
“We’ll be able to prepare together, respond together and recover together,” Benson said.
In addition to improving the cooperative training among emergency officials in the state and across the country, Benson said the opening of the ETC is a key component in The Woodlands’ application to improve its ISO rating. The rating, which TWFD hopes to improve from a 3 to a 2, factors into property insurance premiums.
Benson said that a rating increase to an ISO 2 will equate to a decrease in insurance premiums by about 8 percent for homeowners and about 3 percent for businesses.
Tough thanked leaders from The Woodlands Township, The Woodlands Community Association and The Woodlands Association for partnering to make the training center a reality.
“This is truly a milestone in The Woodlands history,” said Joel Deretchin, chair of The Woodlands Association board, and the former president of TWFD Board.
Deretchin, who recalled his days with TWFD dating back to the time it was a volunteer department with two lime green pumper trucks, also thanked the other local officials who created an economic development district to fund the construction of the ETC using sales tax revenue.
“The Woodlands community has always gives tremendous support to our fire department,” he said.
Emergency Training Center features
Six administrative/instructor offices
Library
Media room
Reception area
Work stations
Work rooms
Break room
Large, dividable classroom
Four labs
Three apparatus/storage bays
Breathing air fill station
Gear storage
Exercise facility
Drill tower
Paved drill ground area
Physical wellness area
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