New Fire/EMS station to break ground in Saint George

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By Nicole Johnson bio | email | Twitter

SAINT GEORGE, SC (WCSC) - It is a first for the residents of Saint George and upper Dorchester County. They will soon have Fire/EMS protection together, close to home. The town and county are working together to build the new Fire/EMS station off Academy Road.

At the Saint George fire department there are four fire trucks crammed into a fire station meant for just two, but the fire department will soon have a lot more room.

"They've kind of outgrown the station they're currently in and our station is just a temporary measure until we could build this building," said County Administrator Jason Ward.

The county is spending more than $1-million to build a Saint George Fire and Dorchester County EMS station. It will be located on this soon-to-be paved road that runs behind the new Dorchester County courthouse.

Ward says Saint George has never been able to merge this type of emergency response before; EMS vehicles are located at a small rented house on Highway 15. Fire trucks are in one spot, and the ladder truck stored elsewhere.

"It's definitely something that slows the response times," said Ward. "They have to leave the station, go past the downtown area to pick up the apparatus, which slows the response time. So this will allow us to consolidate."

The Fire and EMS Station won't only serve residents of this area; they'll also be the first responders to accidents on part of I-95, located just two miles out of the town of Saint George.

The new building will include sleeping quarters for male and female firefighters or paramedics. There's also room for expansion if the county needs to add another ambulance.

The 10,000 square foot station is set to break ground in February. It will take 18-months to build.

North Charleston Fire Department also has plans to expand one of its stations. The department says the area around Station 5 on Dorchester Road is growing. Spokesperson Bianca Sancic says to keep up with the growth the department will expand and rebuild the station. The city is in the process of approving a bid for the construction.

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