The Woodlands Township commissioned 16 new firefighters who have completed their training to become dedicated safety personnel in the community. The event took place on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at The Woodlands Township’s Town Hall facility.
The Woodlands Fire Department Firefighter Academy Class 23-01, the largest class in the 50-year history of TWFD, was installed after completion of four weeks of rigorous training and after making the cut of more than 300 individuals applying for the positions.
The Woodlands Fire Chief Palmer Buck welcomed the packed Town Hall for this special occasion, a first of adding a new fire company in 10 years. Township Chairman Dr. Ann K. Snyder saluted the 16 men and women and thanked their families as well.
“Today is an historic day for The Woodlands Township, as we add a new company to further serve the residents and businesses on the west side of The Woodlands,” Chairman Snyder said. “These outstanding men and women have gone through the intensive training academy to learn 'The Woodlands Way’ of being a firefighter in The Woodlands Township. It’s a great day in The Woodlands and we welcome our new firefighters.”
“The Woodlands Way” focuses on the principal that being a member of The Woodlands Fire Department is more than just a job, it is commitment to being an integral part of the community and providing the best service to our citizens. This includes a commitment to other members of TWFD and is backed with individual responsibility.
The Woodlands Fire Department is officially classified as Public Protection Class 1 (ISO 1), the highest classification possible, according to the Insurance Services Office, and one of very few in the nation to achieve this level of certification.
“The 10th Company allows us to further enhance the coverage on the western edges of The Woodlands where most of the growth of The Woodlands has recently occurred,” Chief Buck said. “This will significantly help our response time and coverage for residents and businesses of The Woodlands.”
The Woodlands Fire Department is staffed with full-time, commissioned firefighters/emergency medical technicians that are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Department has teams who are fully trained to respond to a wide variety of emergencies including:
- Lifesaving missions, like recently saving a young volleyball player from The Woodlands High School
- Collapse Rescue
- Fires of all kinds and intensities
- Hazardous Materials Emergencies
- High-Angle Rescue
- Medical Calls
- Swiftwater Rescue
- Trench Rescues
- And even cat rescues when they’re stuck behind a wall – which has now had 3.9 million views on Facebook at the time of this release.
The 16 firefighters began their first shifts on Friday, February 24, 2023, at various stations throughout The Woodlands.
PHOTO: The Woodlands Township recognized the graduation of The Woodlands Fire Department Probationary Firefighter Academy Class 23-01 on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, prior to the Board of Directors meeting. Pictured, left to right, Assistant Fire Chief Richard Windham, Fire Chief Palmer Buck, Firefighters Christian Bruner, Gordon Carlson, Township Treasurer Richard Franks, Firefighters Sean Bunch, Cody Windisch, Rachel Wedgeworth, Christopher Woodworth, Alex Perez, Township Chairman Dr. Ann K. Snyder, Firefighters Luis Garcia, Tiffany Grothe, Jackson Burrowes, Township Secretary Linda Nelson, Firefighters Timothy Gardner, Madison Tooke, Zachary Smart, Alvarado Orono, Nick Jablonski, Jimmy Kizer, Battalion Chief Chris Norsworthy and Assistant Chief Doug Adams.
