College Station Fire Department held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 11 to officially open Fire Station No. 7. Fire Chief Richard Mann stated that the department selected the date to honor the nearly 3,000 individuals killed in the 2001 attacks, including the 343 firefighters who died that day.
Mann described the opening as a way to remember those who sacrificed their lives while attempting to save others.
The new facility spans more than 18,200 square feet and is staffed by 24 firefighters. The station was designed to serve a growing section of the city and features four drive-thru bays that allow crews to operate apparatus from both sides. This configuration provides capacity for up to eight vehicles as the area continues to expand.
The building also includes a training prop that enables crews to practice confined-space rescues on site.
Firefighter Mason Warren, who has served with the department for four and a half years, noted that the station includes a manhole cover prop accessible from the second story for rescue drills. Warren described the facility as a significant improvement, stating that he had never personally seen a station of this quality before. He characterized the new building as a major benefit for the team.
The $18 million project was approved by voters in the 2022 bond election and was completed under budget. City Manager Bryan Woods noted that the department made every dollar count during the construction process. The new fire engine arrived one year ahead of the typical four-year delivery timeline.
