Leander Fire Station No. 2 expansion to improve response times

A remodel and expansion project for Leander Fire Station No. 2 will reduce response times by 10-20 minutes, according to the city.

The $1.2 million project will remodel and expand the station to include a bay and living quarters for a new Williamson County Emergency Medical Services unit, according to city documents. The remodel will also add secure drug storage, a restroom and added sleeping quarters.

The city has one EMS unit that responds to about 50% of the city's calls, said Leander Fire Chief Billy Wusterhausen on Oct. 1. Units from Cedar Park, Round Rock and other Williamson County areas respond to the rest of the city's EMS calls, he said.

“This will help reduce those response times or those wait times to get advanced life support to those medical calls," Wusterhausen said.

Leander City Council approved a $166,000 contract Oct. 1 with Brown Reynolds Watford Architects for the project's architectural and engineering services. This is funded through the capital improvement projects fund. The project is tentatively scheduled to complete in fall 2021, said city spokesperson Mike Neu.

The fire station is located at 1950 Crystal Falls Parkway, Leander, and was built in 2007, according to the city. Construction on the city's fifth fire station, located at 2800 Travisso Parkway, is estimated to complete in spring 2021.

Editor's note: This story was updated with project timeline information.