Our History
The Spring Fire Department, founded in 1953, is located in Spring, Texas, approximately 25 miles north of Downtown Houston in the northern portion of unincorporated Harris County. It is one of the largest combination fire departments in Harris County and the State of Texas.
After a fire destroyed the local Lutheran Church several community members recognized the need for a fire department and the Spring Volunteer Fire Association was formed and began with a volunteer fire chief and 24 firefighters from the surrounding communities. Scroll down to learn more.
A TOUR THROUGH OUR RICH HERITAGE
APRIL 29, 1953
On April 29,1953, Spring Volunteer Fire Association, Inc. received its Charter. The fire department was formed and had a Fire Chief and 24 members..
1963: 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
1971
Station 71 was relocated to Old Town Spring.
Station 72 was built at the entrance of the Northampton subdivision.
1972
New station built near the Birnamwood subdivision, eventually became Station 73 after the original Station 73 was provided to the newly formed Ponderosa Volunteer Fire Department.
1978: 25-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Built Station 74 on Old Aldine Westfield Road.
Rural Fire Prevention District #1 was formed and was the first of its kind in Harris County which allowed for the collection of Ad Valorem tax (property tax) at a rate of 3 cents per $100 valuation.
This meant a $100,000 homeowner would pay $30 per year for Fire Protection.
1985
Michael F. West gave his life while fighting a 2-alarm commercial fire just outside of Old Town Spring.
1986
911 became the phone number to dial for emergencies in Harris County.
Mike Wisby was elected Fire Chief.
1990
Operating budget was $440k.
Opened Station 75 on FM 2920 at Falvel Road.
Alan Lankford was elected Fire Chief.
1992
The first full-time employee was hired to fill the role of Administrative Coordinator.
There have only been three Administrative Coordinators since the position was created.
The position has since been renamed Administrative Support Specialist
and is located at Spring Fire Department Administration.
1997
Harris County Emergency Services District #7 was formed.
The first part-time firefighters were hired which changed us from a volunteer department to a combination fire department.
The fire department began providing EMS First Responders to assist Cypress Creek EMS.
Station 73 was relocated and opened.
2001
John Duarte was elected Fire Chief.
Leased 14 brand new fire trucks: 7 Quints (fire engines with aerial ladders) 2 Rescue trucks, 2 Tanker trucks, and 3 Grass fire trucks for $8 million.
Began Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) for volunteer retirement.
2002
Stephen Sharp was appointed and then elected Fire Chief.
Tom Priestly retired after 25 years of service with the Spring Volunteer Fire Department.
2003: 50-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
2004
Glenn Hastings was promoted to Fire Chief.
2005
All Officer positions were appointed by Fire Chief or his designees.
Station 77 started operating as a temporary station near Enchanted Oaks neighborhood.
2007
Station 76 was opened at the entrance to the Londonderry subdivision.
The Woodlands Township annexed a ~9 square mile area of our northwestern territory resulting in our area served to be reduced to ~62 square miles.
Received one new Fire Engine.
2009
Received three new fire engines.
2010
ExxonMobil chose to move their campus into the Springwoods Village development.
Operating budget was $1.7 million.
2011
Volunteers began staffing certain fire stations to ensure better response times.
Opened new Administration building and Station 71.
Eric Anderson was appointed Fire Chief.
2012
Operating budget was $2.1 million.
Opened new Station 77 on Cypresswood Drive.
Three part-time Deputy Chiefs were appointed.
2013: 60-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Resolution from Senator Dan Patrick.
Hired our first 8 full-time firefighters.
Station 73 was remodeled to accommodate full-time firefighters.
2014
Hired 16 additional full-time firefighters to enhance our coverage.
Hired Human Resources Director.
ExxonMobil began moving ~10,000 employees into new complex
2015
Our operating budget was $7.1 million.
Hired our first Shift Commanders.
Relocated new Station 8 from Old Town Spring to Booker Road.
Scott Seifert was appointed Fire Chief.
Robert Logan was appointed Assistant Fire Chief.
Shannon Stryk was appointed to Deputy Chief of Training.
Began sharing Ponderosa Fire Department Station 62 while Spring Station 75 was being rebuilt.
Received three new fire engines.
Hired full-time mechanic.
2016
Promoted our first full-time Captains.
Opened Station 70 in Springwoods Village.
Began remodel of Station 76 to accommodate full-time firefighters.
Hired part-time Administrative Assistant.
Received two new fire engines and one new Tower truck.
Purchased two new four-wheel High-Water vehicles.
Purchased one new evacuation boat and one new rescue boat.
Hired full-time Facilities manager, Payroll and Benefits Administrator, and IT Manager.
2017
Operating budget was $11 million.
Appointed Joel Crenshaw to the Deputy Chief of Training.
Spring Fire Department Honor Guard was formed.
Replaced LOSAP program with a Volunteer Retirement Program through TESRS.
Purchased new training tower and it is located at Station 78.
2018
Operating budget is $13.7 million.
Purchased two new six-wheel High Water vehicles.
Began construction on new Station 74.
Opened new Station 75 on FM 2920.
Received a new evacuation boat and one rescue boat.
Celebrated 65 Years in Service with a Community Thank You Celebration.
2019
Operating Budget is $16,264,696.81.
Average Response time improves to 5:38.
Fully staffed all nine stations 24/7/365 months ahead of the master plan.
Spring Firefighters rescued 150 people from high water during Tropical Storm Imelda.
Spring Firefighters participated in 256 community events.
Equipped all nine fire stations with Pet Microchip Readers.
Held our first Spring into Safety Day in Old Town Spring.
Held our first Haunted (Fire) house at Station 75.
Held our first Cookies with Santa Events at Stations 74 & 75.
Raised nearly 4,000 pounds of food and 2,800 toys for needy families during the holiday.
2020
Operating Budget is $17,993,782.90.
Held our first Stop the Bleed Class.
Hired our first full-time Logistics Technician.
Increased the number of fulltime firefighters to 87.
Expanded the Spring Firefighter Challenge to include fire departments from across North Harris County.
Paid off the land purchased for the W.W. Cotton Weaver Training Center.
Became an ESD department and moved full-time personnel to TCDRS retirement program.
Began design work on a new Heavy Rescue vehicle.
2023
Operating Budget is $24,914,659.
New firefighters were hired in March.
Strategic Planning Initiative was started in April, as the department celebrated its 70 years of service.
Land clearing started and signage installed for the W.W. “Cotton” Weaver Training Center.
2024
A Finance Director was added to the staff to improve auditing, procurement and fiscal projections.
A Community Risk Reduction Director was added, and launched new programs such as safe Lithium-ion battery recycling.
2025
Multiple promotions started off 2025 with the addition of a full-time District Chief on the east side of the territory.
A District Chief of Health, Safety and Professional Development was hired to continue and drive our pursuit of excellence.
Station 77 on Cypresswood Dr reopened after extensive renovations.
2026
Station 72 in Northhampton reopened after a complete reconstruction. Harris County ESD 11 added ambulances to Station 72 and 77.
A Safe Haven Baby Box was installed at Station 71
Continue to recruit new volunteer firefighters, train our personnel to the highest standards, reduce response times and risks in our community while increasing customer satisfaction.