LAKELAND, Fla. - City leaders held a ceremonial ground breaking Monday for the new southwest Lakeland fire station, more than two years in the making.
The $4.5 million project will be manned by nine firefighters when finished next November.
Residents in the Carillon Lakes subdivision in southwest Lakeland started fighting for a new fire station in February of 2012 after fire destroyed a home in the neighborhood.
The renters made it out, but it took the fire department nearly 15 minutes to respond because the closest station was more than six miles away.
"By the time they got here, it was completely gone," said Pam Damewood, President of the Carillon Lakes HOA. "We were very, very fortunate that day that we did not have a loss of life."
The city was well aware that southwest Lakeland was in need of a new fire station, but they couldn't get it built for budgetary reasons.
"If you don't live within five road miles of a fire station, it's like not having a fire station at all," said Chief Gary Ballard, who joined the residents in urging the city commission to build the new station.
Station number seven is paid for through a small tax increase and grant money.
The department already stationed a new truck at the airport to respond to calls in the southwest community until the station is ready.
For some people in Carillon Lakes, insurance rates already dropped as much as $1,200 due to a closer fire engine.
"The community is elated," Damewood said.
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Source: southwest - Yahoo News Search Results http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_polk/lakeland/southwest-lakeland-to-get-faster-fire-response-time-as-city-leaders-break-ground-on-new-station
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