As construction nears completion on the new Station 102 site, passerby may have noticed that the “original” Station 102 is also receiving a light makeover. As firefighter crews move down the road to the new station at 44 Homestead Rd S, the District’s administrative and logistics staff will consolidate into the original station.
District staff had slated the original station for replacement prior to Hurricane Irma in 2017. The station sustained storm damage during the hurricane that rendered it uninhabitable. (Crews assigned to Station 102 have been operating out of a FEMA trailer located behind the station since the hurricane). Constructed in 1964, the station had fallen out of compliance with new hurricane codes, sprinkler requirements, ADA accommodations, and NFPA rules for safe bunker gear storage. The widening of Homestead Road also shortened the front apron, so that engines could no longer park in front of the station. After Hurricane Irma, it was determined that building a station at a new location would be more cost-effective than tearing down and rebuilding at the original site.
The property at 44 Homestead Road met the current and future needs of the District, providing ample room for the new fire station and training facility. There is also room to accommodate a future administrative building that could house fire and law enforcement personnel, and serve as the East Lee County Emergency Operations building when needed. A development order was already in place for the land when the District purchased it, which saved the District a significant amount of funds. In addition, the District anticipates selling the unused portion of the land, mitigating much of the development costs for the land used for the station and training facility.
Prior to the economic downturn in 2009, administrative staff for the District operated out of a rented facility. In 2009, in addition to laying off ten members of the staff, administration split into available offices and bunkrooms in three separate fire stations. Logistics currently operates out of the original 102 site, and the property – which is owned by the District – is still the optimal site for their storage and operations. After a light remodel, administrative staff (Chief Officers, Finance/Billing, Human Resources, Public Relations, and Training) will move out of the fire stations and into the original station building at 11 Homestead Road. The consolidation to a more central location in the community will make stopping in for business more convenient for our business and property owners, while also freeing up much-needed space in the stations for our line personnel.
The community of the Lehigh Acres Fire District is rapidly growing, and we are committed to continually improving the quality of emergency services delivered to its citizens. As we continue to grow together, we are honored to serve in a manner that reflects our core values; Excellence, Safety, Valor, Integrity, and Dedication.