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28 June 2024
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Fire stations of the world: Polk County Fire Rescue’s new Watkins Road Fire Station, Haines City, Florida, US
Polk County Fire Rescue officially opened its new Watkins Road Fire Station on Wednesday, 5 June 2024. Situated at 2021 Watkins Road in Haines City, Florida in the US, the Grand Opening of the Watkins Road Fire Station in Haines City wasn’t just the dedication of a new building but also a rededication of the members of the Polk County Fire Rescue to protect and serve the community. “The strategic positioning of this new station is designed to meet the community’s needs,” said Dr Hezedean A Smith, Polk County Fire Rescue Fire Chief. “This twenty-first Century fire station is also a healthier space for our members.”
The new 13 000-square-foot structure features space for a fire engine, brush truck, tender and battalion chief trucks, in addition to private bunk rooms, three bathrooms with showers, classrooms and training areas, as well as a large kitchen and relaxation area with recliners and a big screen TV.
Bill Braswell, Polk County Board of Commissioners, County Commissioner and Chairman, said it’s been an honour to witness the PCFR’s growth. “This station has some of the most sophisticated equipment and it shows the board’s dedication to public safety in the community as we expand the number of new stations around the county,” Braswell said. “This is the sixth new station we’ve opened in five years.”
Smith explained the building features unique benefits focusing on the health and safety of the firefighters. “There are systems in place to decrease exposure to carcinogens that are believed to cause cancer,” Smith said. “This station has a red, yellow and green area which provides living areas that are free from these carcinogens.”
The addition of this fire station is just one example of the PCFR’s growth.
“The community will see the immediate benefit starting today and for many years to come,” Smith said.
Polk County Fire Rescue began providing emergency medical services in 1973 and fire services were added in 1975. It is now one of the nation’s largest departments with 45 stations and a workforce of more than 700. The EMS-based fire department responds to more than 120 000 calls annually.
Sources: Polk County Fire Rescue, Four Corners Sun
The new 13 000-square-foot structure features space for a fire engine, brush truck, tender and battalion chief trucks, in addition to private bunk rooms, three bathrooms with showers, classrooms and training areas, as well as a large kitchen and relaxation area with recliners and a big screen TV.
Bill Braswell, Polk County Board of Commissioners, County Commissioner and Chairman, said it’s been an honour to witness the PCFR’s growth. “This station has some of the most sophisticated equipment and it shows the board’s dedication to public safety in the community as we expand the number of new stations around the county,” Braswell said. “This is the sixth new station we’ve opened in five years.”
Smith explained the building features unique benefits focusing on the health and safety of the firefighters. “There are systems in place to decrease exposure to carcinogens that are believed to cause cancer,” Smith said. “This station has a red, yellow and green area which provides living areas that are free from these carcinogens.”
The addition of this fire station is just one example of the PCFR’s growth.
“The community will see the immediate benefit starting today and for many years to come,” Smith said.
Polk County Fire Rescue began providing emergency medical services in 1973 and fire services were added in 1975. It is now one of the nation’s largest departments with 45 stations and a workforce of more than 700. The EMS-based fire department responds to more than 120 000 calls annually.
Sources: Polk County Fire Rescue, Four Corners Sun
