The purchase will be made to help replace the department’s aging fleet. Over the next two years, the city will buy 13 replacement trucks and add two trucks.

The money will come from multiple funding sources.

“Our large district covers more than five townships across 150 square miles,” said Central Warren Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Derrick Johnston. “I want to thank Ameren Illinois for not only providing us with the resources to improve our fleet, but also for their continued assistance in the aftermath of the 2015 Cameron, Illinois tornado. Both the new vehicle and the previously installed local storm warning siren are a result of continued support from the company.”

The new state-of-the-art facility is scheduled to undergo it’s first phase of construction on Woodruff Rd. in Simpsonville, during the first week of December.

According to Chief Gabe Mill, it’s coming with a price tag of about $3.2 million dollars and will be built on the plot of land right next to the existing fire station.

“Our needs have grown, the community’s needs have grown,” said Chief Mill at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Currently, fire officials say they’ve been struggling to keep up with the area’s population growth.

“This is the fastest growing area in Greenville County right now,” said Mill.

But that’s about to change.

Along with a brand new facility, the Department will be adding two new fire trucks, a couple of vehicles and 8 new personnel.

The fire door murals were produced by Colossal Media. The Greenpoint, Brooklyn company collaborated with the members of the fire house to create a design that is bold and patriotic, colored in red, white and blue, with stars and stripes. Three painters hand-painted the design.