06-05-2025
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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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.
