The move is part of an effort by the county to have quicker ambulance response times in northern DeKalb. The ambulances could be dispatched throughout the county, however.  

The City Council approved a 2018 budget amendment from the general fund balance for the purchase of the property at the Oct. 23 meeting. The resolution authorizing the budget amendment also authorizes the city to spend $180,000 to renovate the former convenience store as needed for EMS personnel to work there.

"The last couple of years, if you've noticed, the growth out here is just staggering," said Phoenix Fire Chief Kara Kalkbrenner. "It's like their new residential homes, new commercial homes, traffic on the freeway."  

Firefighters were seeing an increase of calls to the Fireside neighborhood, making this new site the perfect place for the 10,500 square-foot fire station.

Until the project is complete, responders have been working out of a temporary station -- the Residence Marriott hotel.