Station No. 5 will significantly improve emergency response times to the largely residential areas of northwest Apopka and also handle vehicle accidents along Wekiva Parkway and State Road 429.

Staff will include 18 firefighters – six for each of three shifts. Emergency vehicles will include a fire engine, ambulance and a rapid response squad truck that will carry equipment for vehicle accidents and other emergencies.

The new $7.5 million fire hall next to the Collicutt Centre features the standards like office space and dorm space for the Platoon Chief, as well as nine separate dorm rooms for crew members and a staff-designed kitchen and living area.

The bay can accommodate six emergency vehicles including two ambulances and four large vehicles. The turnout gear room also features an exhaust system that removes contaminated air under the lockers, ensuring dry and decontaminated gear after any emergency response.

Chief Abes said his crew's efficiencies are crucial in their line of work.

Typically, the total sum of the 1 percent fund is around $20,000. Bonds said frequently those funds are put towards a different firefighter’s retirement each year, but this year all agreed establishing a designated fitness center was imperative.