Crossville Fire Chief Chris South said the relocation of Fire Station 2 to a new 10,000-square-foot facility will improve emergency response times for the city’s rapidly growing north end.
Chief Chris South said the department officially moved into the new station at 68 Cotton Patch Drive this week. The three-bay facility replaces a 30-year-old building on Industrial Boulevard that had fallen into a state of disrepair.
“The fire station was built a little over 30 years ago and had begun to deteriorate and was seeing lots of signs of age,” South said. “And city council and city management made the wonderful vision to build a new fire station to more centralize the response district for Fire Station 2.”
South said the new location is situated in the heart of the industrial district between old Jamestown and Genesis Road. South said the site was chosen to better serve the north end of the community, which has seen a significant increase in both population and business.
“Actually, when we built the fire station 30 years ago, the city of Crossville did not extend as far north in our community,” South said. “So, as many from around here know, the north end of our community has just exploded in both population and business.”
South said the station features a split design that separates the residential living quarters from the business and training areas. South said the layout includes a workout facility, dedicated locker storage for turnout gear, and a kitchen.
“It allows the firefighters a really good living environment,” South said. “I think the living conditions for the firefighters is just unbelievably better and we’re so thankful for that from the council and our mayor and city manager.”
South said the relocation will not require changes to existing response protocols because the station remains within its original district. South said the centralized location on the bypass will also allow crews to reach the west end of the community more efficiently.
“This was the place that we felt would best serve the growth and the projected growth that we’re having in our area,” South said. “And I think that it will just be very well-placed to effectively respond for the next 20 years, truthfully.”
South said the department plans to host a public open house during the first week of May to allow residents to tour the new facility.
