Conroe Fire Boosts Stations, Staff for Growth

## Conroe Fire Department Races to Keep Pace with Explosive Growth, Launches Major Expansion

**CONROE, TX –** The Conroe Fire Department (CFD) is embarking on a significant expansion project, investing millions in new stations and personnel to combat the challenges posed by Conroe’s unprecedented population boom. With emergency calls on the rise and response times stretching, city officials and fire leadership are working urgently to ensure public safety keeps pace with development.

Conroe, a rapidly expanding city within the Houston metropolitan area, has seen its population surge from approximately 80,000 residents in 2018 to an estimated 106,000 by 2023. Including its surrounding extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ), the total served population reaches well over 160,000. City planners project Conroe’s population could hit 150,000 by 2030, driven by its strategic location, job growth, and relatively affordable housing.

This rapid expansion has directly impacted the CFD’s workload, with emergency calls increasing by 22% between 2020 and 2023, from around 12,000 to over 14,000 annually. The strain on existing resources has pushed the department’s average response time to six minutes and 20 seconds as of 2023, surpassing the ideal five-minute benchmark. The department aims to reach 90% of emergencies within eight minutes, a goal that becomes increasingly challenging with stretched resources. Longer response times can lead to greater property damage, increased risk of injury, and potentially higher insurance rates for residents and businesses.

Conroe Fire Chief Ken Kreger emphasizes the urgency of the situation. “Our city is experiencing phenomenal growth, and the fire department must grow even faster to maintain and improve public safety standards,” Chief Kreger stated. “It’s a continuous race to catch up, but these new stations and additional personnel are absolutely critical steps in that ongoing effort.”

To address this critical need, the CFD is executing a multi-year plan to expand its physical footprint and bolster its ranks.

**Station No. 7: Already Operational**
The first new facility, **Station No. 7**, officially opened its doors on December 1, 2023. This state-of-the-art, $8 million facility at 19183 I-45 is strategically positioned to enhance fire and emergency medical services coverage in the ETJ north of Loop 336, an area experiencing significant residential and commercial development.

**Station No. 8: Breaking Ground Soon**
Next on the agenda is **Station No. 8**, a crucial addition planned for the city’s east side. Slated to open in early 2025, with some discussions suggesting a potential late 2024 completion, this $11 million station will be located at FM 3083 and Sapp Road, near the burgeoning Grand Central Park community. Its placement is specifically designed to reduce response times in this rapidly developing sector.

**Station No. 9: West Side Coverage**
Looking further ahead to 2026, **Station No. 9** is planned for the west side of Conroe, near McCaleb Road and Texas 105. This $11 million investment will significantly improve fire services for the swiftly expanding Lake Conroe West area, a residential hub that has seen substantial new construction.

**Future Expansion and Staffing Needs**
The department also has its sights set on a potential **Station No. 10** in the future, earmarked for the south end of town, possibly around FM 1488, to accommodate continued growth.

Each new station requires 12 additional firefighters to ensure full 24/7 coverage, with four firefighters assigned to each of the three shifts. The CFD proactively hired 12 new firefighters in fiscal year 2024 to staff Station No. 7. Another dozen will be budgeted for Station No. 8 in FY 2025, with a final group of 12 anticipated for Station No. 9 in FY 2026. This expansion will increase the total number of fire stations from six to nine and significantly grow the overall firefighting staff from its current 110 members.

Financially, the City of Conroe has allocated a $30.1 million budget for the CFD in FY 2024, with future increases anticipated to cover the operational costs and salaries for new personnel. The construction of these new stations is being funded through the city’s capital improvement plan, utilizing Certificates of Obligation – a form of municipal debt that allows for financing essential public projects without requiring voter approval, enabling quicker responses to critical infrastructure needs.

This comprehensive expansion plan underscores Conroe’s commitment to prioritizing public safety as it navigates the challenges and opportunities presented by its remarkable growth. Residents can anticipate improved emergency response times and enhanced protection as the CFD works to build a fire department equipped for the Conroe of tomorrow.

For more information on the Conroe Fire Department and city development plans, visit the City of Conroe website at [ConroeTexas.gov](https://www.cityofconroe.org/).