The township has budgeted $12 million for the Fire Station No. 5 rebuild and training center improvements, fire Chief Palmer Buck said.
The project will involve rebuilding the station at a location near the Sterling Ridge Park & Ride on McBeth Way.
The location on West Branch Crossing Drive has underlying soil issues that will result in further building deterioration, Buck has stated previously.
“We don’t have a good timeline on construction as of yet, but we hope to begin construction of the replacement for Station 5 by the fall,” Buck said in an email. “We have also been approved to do some expansion and remodel and the Emergency Training Center, and that should occur at the same time.”
In addition to the Station No. 5 rebuild, Station No. 3 on Sawdust Road and Station No. 4 on Bay Branch Drive are in need of some facility improvements, according to previous reporting.
Those repairs were not included in the immediate plans.
All of the structures are about 25 years old.
In addition to the work on the facilities this year, the department will add a 10th company of firefighters, Buck said.
“We are currently processing 16 new firefighters who are scheduled to start on Jan. 24,” Buck said. “They will undergo a four-week training academy, and their graduation will coincide with the new company going into service, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 24.”
The additional firefighting capacity is particularly needed on the west side of the township, officials have said.
