Four new fire stations could be coming to Escambia County
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG)- Civic leaders are looking to build four new fire stations in Escambia County.
'I wanted to make sure that when people pick up the phone and they call 9-11, that someone is available to respond and that person has the training and equipment they need to fix the emergency the person is experiencing,' Ashlee Hofberger, District 4 County Commissioner for Escambia County, said.
Proposed plans include the demolition and replacement of stations 11 and 14 on Lillian Highway and Gulf Beach Highway. And the construction of two additional fire stations, one on Highway 97 and Kingsfield Road in Cantonment, and another in the Paradise Beach area.
Plans also include the addition of sleeping quarters to station 21 on White Ash Road in Molino.
With the new stations, County Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger hopes they can enhance emergency response capabilities and lower insurance rates for residents who don't have a fire station nearby.
'One of the biggest impacts that our community has seen from the areas that have previously had a fire station but don't have one anymore, for various reasons, is a huge hike in insurance. So their insurance premiums have went up anywhere from 30 to 60%,' Hofberger said.
Hofberger says she's worked with Escambia County Fire Rescue Chief Adam Harrison to identify the locations.
'Chief Harrison's been great. He's got a running list of everything that the fire department needs for the future. Depending on growth…because we kind of know where people are moving and what areas are experiencing more growth,' Hofberger said.
With an estimated cost of $34 million, Hofberger said the new stations and the expansion would be funded through Local Option Sales Tax dollars.
Plans are expected to be voted on at a future Board of County Commissioners Meeting.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Mobile mayoral candidate Spiro Cheriogotis takes a sizeable lead in campaign contributions
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Spiro Cheriogotis extended his financial advantage over Mobile's five other mayoral candidates last month, according to campaign finance filings with the Alabama Secretary of State. Orange Beach Billfish Classic ends with record purse Cheriogotis, a former Mobile County District Judge, received cash contributions of $231,000 in May, three times more than the next candidate was able to raise, and more than the other five candidates combined. County Commissioner Connie Hudson received cash contributions of $75,200. Former Mobile Police Chief Paul Prine raised $40,900. State Representative Barbara Drummond received $29,300 in cash donations. Former City Councilman Jermaine Burrell raised $22,300. Former Police Chief Lawrence Battiste received $1,750 in cash donations. With the election 11 weeks out, Cheriogotis has almost more cash on hand than his five opponents combined. His campaign balance at the end of May was $676,400. Hudson had $397,600 on hand, Drummond $129,200, Burrell $75,700, Prine $69,100 and Battiste $5,700. Hudson carried over $158,000 from her last campaign for County Commissioner. Drummond brought $30,000 from her State Representative campaign balance. Baldwin County's first Safe Haven baby box blessed in Daphne Cheriogotis has been endorsed by outgoing Mayor Sandy Stimpson who is not running for a fourth four-year term. This is the first time in 20 years that a Mobile mayoral election has not featured an incumbent. The election is Aug. 26. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
VOTING OPEN: Residents can chime in on new Pensacola Beach gateway design
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — Big changes are coming to the gateway entering Pensacola Beach. Escambia County officials plan to tear down the toll booths that greet visitors driving into Pensacola Beach, add an automated tolling system, and install a new arch over the roadway. Escambia County Commissioners are asking residents for their input by voting on their favorite architectural design. 'We have three different renderings available online, people can vote for their favorites, and we also have a comment section,' Escambia County Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger said. The three options residents can vote for on (Courtesy of Escambia County Commissioners Office) Residents can vote on their design of choice on the MyEscambia website. 'We do ask for names and emails,' Hofberger said. 'That way if we have follow-up questions or if you give us a really good idea, we can email you back and say, 'Hey, I really like this idea, can you give me some information as to how you think that would look.' Voting opened Friday afternoon and will close Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. The total project will cost anywhere from $6.3 to $7.5 million. Construction is set to begin this fall. The target completion date is April 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Yahoo
St. Johns County Commissioners extend administrator's contract 3 years amid tense debate
St. Johns County's Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday extended the contract of its County Administrator. This comes weeks after Action News Jax's Ben Becker confirmed that Joy Andrews applied for the Palm Beach County Administrator position, then withdrew her name from consideration. 'I made a decision, regardless of the differences of opinion about me or my role or how I'm performing, my hope is that I can at least show my commitment to my staff, my children, my community who have shown up today,' Andrews said at Tuesday's meeting. County Commissioner Krista Joseph, who has been a critic of Andrews, said during the meeting she was now 'all for' Andrews, but said she just wanted to see more initiatives fully completed. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] 'I haven't seen a lot of the goals completed. I've seen them on their way, but not completed. The Black History Museum, it's not a done deal. There are so many things, the World Golf, the FCC, the comprehensive plan, the tree ordinance. When I see those things accomplished, I'm like all for you. I do, we do work together great when we do the agendas. I don't have any problem with Joy. I just want to see accomplishment and reward accomplishment with an increase in time or salary,' Joseph said. By a 3-2 vote, the commissioners gave Andrews a three-year contract extension on top of 18 months remaining on her existing contract, keeping her on through 2030. Her pay remains $285,000 a year plus annual cost of living increases. In an email that was sent last month, Andrews wrote she was withdrawing from consideration because she wants to see through 'critical initiatives' in St. Johns County. 'Given the politics at the time, I briefly considered all my options,' Andrews said in a statement to Becker in May. 'I am 100% committed to St. Johns County and it has been my family's home for more than two decades. I'm grateful for the support of a majority of the commission and look forward to working together for years to come.' Andrews has served as county administrator since 2023, following the abrupt resignation of her predecessor, Hunter Conrad. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] In January, St. Johns County Board Chair Krista Joseph introduced a motion of no confidence in Andrews, a move that signaled internal tension within the county leadership. That motion was ultimately voted down by the rest of the board, allowing Andrews to retain her position. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
