New fire station set to open in Macclenny

New fire station set to open in Macclenny

MACCLENNY, FL - City of Macclenny residents enjoy the protection of a full time fire department that has maintained an ISO (Insurance Services Organization) rating of Class Four over the past several years. But the city has seen tremendous growth with hundreds of new residential and commercial ventures popping up and the Macclenny Fire Department has been stretched to its limits in covering the newly annexed land.

This photo of Macclenny's newest station does not show the completed project with landscaping and training tower.

In order to deal with the growing demands, Macclenny Fire Chief Buddy Dugger persuaded the city council to fund a second station.

"We had a new station in our long range five year plan to deal with the anticipated geographical growth. That expansion of territory would have put us over the maximum travel distances allowed by ISO for engine companies under our current rating. The new station will keep us in compliance," said Chief Dugger.

That new fire station will be unveiled at a special open house and dedication luncheon this Thursday, July 3 at noon. The new station includes a 50 x 89 foot steel building that was pre-built and erected on site. The four bay structure including electrical wiring, heating, air units, as well as landscaping was paid for with $86,000 in impact fees.

It sits adjacent to a previously existing house, which has been converted into a working crew station and training facility.

Macclenny Station Two is located on the corner of Lowder Road and Hartline Drive and will house trucks on the south side of the railroad lines which bisect the city. In the past responses have been delayed when trains held up the public safety units.

"This will allow us to house hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of valuable equipment out of the weather. Plus it will ensure quicker access and response to our units when we otherwise might be held up at the railroad tracks," said Dugger.

In addition to the station, a new three story training tower was built with another $15,000 in impact fees. The tower will be used for multiple training exercises including ladders, ropes, hose elevation and simulated rescues.

The chief expressed his gratitude to several people for their contributions in completing the new station. His list included city engineer and inspector Claude Jacobs who designed the new facility. Also mentioned was city building employee Johnny Long who oversaw construction, Deputy Fire Chief Martin Cole and city maintenance worker Alvin Clayton who spent hundreds of hours constructing the project.

City firefighters will be getting more than a new station in a few months, when E-One delivers their brand new heavy rescue engine. It was funded with a $300,000 FEMA grant and $54,000 in impact fees. In addition to firefighting supplies the new engine will hold and transport extrication equipment, a 15K generator and an on board foam system.

Chief Dugger stated that once that new unit is placed into service he plans on seeking a change in city fire departments ISO rating from the current Class four down to a three or lower. That lower classification would directly translate into savings for homeowners and businesses, on their insurance premiums.