Osceola County, Florida – Osceola County broke ground Thursday on Station 67 on Boggy Creek Road, which will bring the number of stations to 16 within the County.

“The last time Osceola County increased its level of service with the addition of a Fire Station was in 2007 (Reunion), so it is significant that we are starting on this station at such a strategic location,” said County Commissioner Ricky Booth. Station 67 is in Booth’s district and in a growing area of the County. “Staffing this station will allow us to be more responsive to our residents in an emergency. And it is important because when that 9-1-1 call comes in, all the caller wants to know is that help is coming in the quickest way possible.”

The $9.5 million station located next to the Austin-Tindall Sports Complex is scheduled for completion by Summer 2023 using a design pioneered about five years ago. The station is designed to withstand severe weather events — up to 150 mph wind speed. This 4-bay 12,290-square-foot station builds upon “lessons learned,” with a larger “community room” capable of hosting small meetings, but which can better accommodate potential use as a polling location.

When complete, the station will be staffed by 21 firefighters through a $5.44 million Federal SAFER grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Staffing the new station will decrease the County’s ISO Rating in the area to 3, resulting in a significant decrease in both the physical and financial risk to nearby residents and businesses

The SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) program is intended to improve or restore local fire departments’ staffing and deployment capabilities so they may more effectively respond to emergencies.

Congressman Darren Soto helped Osceola secure the grant and spoke about the importance of making Osceola County a safer place for residents and visitors.

Osceola County is planning to build two more stations – in Poinciana and at Calypso Cay Way near U.S. Highway 192 — in the near future.

Osceola County Fire Rescue has seen a continual increase in call volume with the County’s growth. Since 2010 the department has had a 41 percent increase in call volume. 

Fire Rescue operates 15 fire stations with 12 engines, 2 squads, 3 aerials, 14 rescues, and 5 Battalion Chiefs.

The City of Mauldin Fire Department celebrated the groundbreaking of its new headquarters on Plant Street off West Butler Road on Friday. City of Mauldin Mayor Terry Merritt, Fire Chief Brian McHone and Public Safety Committee Chairperson Carol King were among those in attendance.

“Our current station has served the City of Mauldin well but we’ve outgrown the facility,” said Fire Chief Brian McHone. “We are excited to create a space that provides us the ability to strengthen fire protection in a growing section of the City, increase efficiencies and improve our capabilities for the safety and security of our community.”

Designed by Stewart Cooper Newell Architects, the 18,000 square foot brick structure will replace the current station located next to Mauldin City Hall and will feature:

• Three truck bays
• Expanded space for training props in the bay area
• Community/training room that can hold 30+ people
• Decontamination area that has a washroom and a turnout gear room
• Weight room for firefighter training
• Patio for firefighters
• Police Sub-Station

“We have been engaged in capital improvements for our Fire Department operations for the past several years with new equipment and fire apparatuses, plus adding new firefighter positions,” said Public Safety Committee Chairperson Carol King.  “The new Fire Station and Police Sub-Station is another step to improving overall emergency response times and providing excellent public safety services to every corner of our growing City and fire service area.”

City officials believe moving the new station about a mile west will allow the Department to better serve the growing population on all sides of the City. CloverLeaf Construction will build the new facility and anticipates it will take 12-14 months to complete.

“We are excited to celebrate with our residents and the Mauldin Fire Department who works so hard to keep our community safe,” said Mayor Terry Merritt. “We are committed to providing resources that help us offer the best possible emergency service to protect our community.”

Following an extrication call involving a bottle and a tongue–yes, really–the Trinity Fire Department responded to a call of two vehicles that crashed into its Station 45.

Two people were unresponsive when crews arrived, and one was trapped.

“The extrication was completed in approximately 30 minutes with use of multiple tools and several plans,” the department writes on Facebook. “An hour later, units were dispatched to an Accident with Entrapment on Highway 221. Units arrived on the scene with two unresponsive and one confirmed entrapment with both vehicles into our Station 45.”

A downed paraglider was rescued in the Swakane Canyon area in Chelan County and airlifted to a hospital on Sunday. Chelan County deputies, Lifeline Ambulance and Wenatchee Valley firefighters responded to the area north of Wenatchee after the 42-year-old paraglider crashed on the north side of the canyon Sunday afternoon.
- PUB DATE: 5/31/2022 11:12:00 AM - SOURCE: iFiber One News Radio