The Forney City Council meeting on October 2, 2012 included a large portion of time that was used to discuss adding a second Forney Fire Department station. The dreams of a second fire station in the City of Forney will likely be put on hold for a year or two, but when it is built, it will be an impressive feat.
The Forney City Council meeting on October 2, 2012 included a large portion of time that was used to discuss adding a second Forney Fire Department station. The dreams of a second fire station in the City of Forney will likely be put on hold for a year or two, but when it is built, it will be an impressive feat.
City Manager Brian Brooks reminded the Council that last year they took out bonds to pay for the design work for Fire Station #2. The design has recently been completed by BRW Architects and was presented to the Council at the October 2 meeting. Forney Chief Rick Townsend was present at the meeting and helped answer council questions during the power point presentation given by BRW Architects.
BRW explained that a feasibility study was conducted on two potential locations for FS #2 North of Highway 80. Both of the land properties being considered will be generously donated by Herbert Hunt and the Hunt family Investment Group. One site under consideration is Site B at the corner of Reeder Lane and Reeder Road, on two acres of land. The other site, Site A, was deemed to be the preferred site. It is three acres located mid-block on Reeder Lane. The primary reason Chief Townsend considers it the preferred site is that it allows better access to the road and it is a larger property, which would allow for more parking for FFD personnel as well as the public.
The BRW concept floor plan for the facility shows a floor area of approximately 11,700 square feet. It also includes a large Training Tower on the property. The exterior of the fire station would be 80 percent stone and brick with a beautiful entry way for public visitors. It will also have three bay areas which can house six pieces of firefighting equipment, such as fire trucks.
The interior will also include a large area for firefighter sleeping quarters, a kitchen and dining room, and a fitness area. A fire station is a home away from home for firefighters, and having a well designed and comfortable station is important for morale. The cost is not cheap however. The total cost for such a facility, including construction, furnishings, fees, and expenses would be $4.42 million. Once construction began, it would take anywhere from 10-13 months to complete.
Though Mayor Darren Rozell, City Manager Brooks, and the entire Council seemed impressed with such a first rate facility, they were concerned about needing to hire an additional six to nine firefighters at a minimum, to staff the second station. The City would also need to purchase additional firefighting equipment and trucks for Fire Station #2. The money simply is not in the budget at this time. Even hiring nine more firefighters would staff the second station with only three firefighters per shift. The shifts now have five firefighters. Even Fire Chief Townsend told the council, “If you can't staff the station, don't build it...”
It is possible that a Bond vote for a new fire station will be on the ballot in November 2013, but it may not be added until the November 2014 elections. The council would like to see the station built and staffed by 2015 when they expect retail businesses to be up and running in the Gateway Bridge area. Fire Station #2 would cut response times, especially to North Forney. It remains to be seen as to whether the voters in Forney would approve the bond, but it appears they will have plenty of time to think it over.
