Celina residents can walk through their neighborhood fire stations, climb aboard engines and meet the firefighter-paramedics who respond to their 911 calls at two free open houses this fall.
The city announced Aug. 6 that Fire Station #2, at 1805 Light Farms Way, will open its doors Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fire Station #1, at 1413 S. Preston Road, follows Nov. 14 during the same hours.
Both events are free and open to all ages. No registration is required.
What to expect
Each open house will include guided station tours, up-close looks at fire engines and ambulances, fire safety and emergency preparedness demonstrations, and hands-on activities for children and families. The city said some events will also feature seasonal attractions.
The series is the first community-engagement programming announced for the department's newer stations since Celina's rapid expansion added facilities across the city.
A department stretching to keep pace
The open houses come as the fire department works to match the demands of explosive growth. U.S. Census Bureau estimates show Celina grew 24.6% between 2024 and 2025, making it the fastest-growing city in America among those with populations over 20,000. Since 2010, the city has ballooned from about 6,000 residents to roughly 64,000.
That growth has strained public safety resources. Fire Chief Shawn White told Celina City Council on June 9 that the department plans to hire nine additional firefighters in fiscal year 2026-27, moving engine crews from three members to four, Community Impact reported. "With our current call volume, our ambulances are not always available to respond with our engines," White said at that meeting.
All of Celina's firefighters are cross-trained as paramedics, meaning engine crews can stabilize patients even when an ambulance isn't immediately available.
The department now operates three stations, with a fourth — a 16,000-square-foot facility at 1205 Punk Carter Parkway on the city's east side — expected to open in February 2027.
Why it matters locally
Mayor Ryan Tubbs told Fox 10 in June that the city's rapid growth "definitely brings jobs, but it also brings a lot of challenges from an infrastructure standpoint, from water resources [and] road resources."
For residents in newer subdivisions, proximity to a fire station can directly affect homeowners insurance costs. When Fire Station #3 opened in early 2024 on the city's western edge, the Insurance Services Office rating for nearby Sutton Fields residents improved to a 3, according to city records, which can lower premiums.
The city's announcement describes the open house series as running "throughout the year," suggesting additional dates beyond September and November may follow. No further events have been confirmed.
Residents can find updates at celina-tx.gov.
