AUSTIN, Texas -- Austin City Council approved nearly $13 million last week to create gender-neutral bathrooms for female firefighters at six old stations. The six stations were built decades ago when there were no female firefighters.

Lt. Lyzz Donelson works at Station 12, one of the six stations with only a male restroom and changing area.

"It was built in '49. At the time, I think, we had 171 firefighters, all of them male. It was a different time," said Donelson.​

Donelson is a 16-year-veteran of the fire department and has worked at stations that have and haven't had a bathroom for female firefighters.

At Station 12, the firefighters take turns in using the one-shower restroom and changing area, which doubles as the dorm area.

The Austin Fire Department has already renovated 25 stations over the past 15 years. This is phase six and the last fire stations that need renovations.

"When you are remodeling an old building like this, there is a lot of rehabbing that goes on, sometimes wiring has to be completely replaced, sometimes plumbing has to be completely replaced," said Assistant Chief Aaron Woolverton.

These renovations aren't just a matter of convenience. They are a necessity for a firefighter's health.

"Firefighters are exposed to a lot of things that the general public aren't. Having a facility where they can get cleaned up as quickly as possible is in our best interest and theirs, long-term health-wise," said Woolverton.

Stations 2, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 16 will all be outfitted with another restroom for women. Renovations will begin in October or November. Construction will be done one station at a time. A temporary building will be placed on the property, where firefighters can live while the work is being done.

Because Station 12 doesn't have a lot of space, those firefighters will have to work out of another station.