By Tamas Mondovics
Hillsborough County Officials, Fire Rescue, (HCFR) personnel, along with local area residents and community representatives recently celebrated the completion of a $2.4 million project to replace the Armwood Fire Station No. 4.
Instead of a ribbon cutting, the ceremony held at the station, located at 11826 E. U.S. Hwy. 92 in Seffner, included HCFR’s traditional uncoupling of fire hoses, which formally marked the station’s commitment to serving the area.
The official ceremony welcomed special speaker, Terry Flott of the Seffner Community Alliance as well as Hillsborough County Commissioner Stacy White (District 4). The celebration continued with tours of Station No.4 for all in attendance.
The new station now replaces the old building that has occupied the same site for nearly a half a century. At 9,300 sq. ft., the new facility is more than twice the size of the old station and includes a number of upgrades and amenities to assist the full time staff. Upgrades include more modern living quarters and workspace designed to meet current fire station standards.
The station’s three bays house a fire engine, and a rescue vehicle. Each 24-hour shift is staffed by a crew of five personnel. The station also houses a fire investigator.
“This replacement building is part of a larger plan set in place by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners to give firefighters and first responders the tools needed to do their jobs, and a comfortable facility to return to after a call,” Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Chief Dennis Jones said.
Construction costs were funded through impact fees, general revenue funds, and Public Safety Improvement Bond Project funds.
Construction took nearly a year to complete, during which time Fire Rescue personnel, equipment, and apparatus operated out of temporary quarters on the site so emergency services would continue during construction.
Jones also spoke highly of the new building when he proudly said, “As you look at photos of the old Station No. 4, you realize just how impressive this new building really is.”
The new facility is one of several projects Hillsborough County has underway to replace, upgrade, or add fire stations throughout the unincorporated area, including Riverview, Sundance, Carrollwood, and the East Lake area.
For more about area building projects, visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org.
