Politics & Government

New Fire Station Opens

Station 22 on Cross Creek Boulevard is now the third fire station in New Tampa.

 

Minutes are crucial in an emergency situation, of course. And for those experiencing a potentially life-threatening situation in the northeast corner of New Tampa, help could come even quicker.

That’s because the city held a ribbon-cutting for New Tampa’s third fire station, Station No. 22 on Cross Creek Boulevard, today (April 19). Mayor Bob Buckhorn, council members, emergency-response officials, the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce and other dignitaries were on hand for the grand opening.

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There is already another fire station on Cross Creek Boulevard — about three miles away near Bruce B. Downs Boulevard — but response time has been less than ideal when there are calls on the east end of Cross Creek Boulevard or on Morris Bridge Road, according to the city.

“A six-minute response now could be a three-minute response time,” said Capt. Lonnie Benniefield, public information officer for Tama Fire Rescue.

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New Tampa has been one of the fast-growing areas of Tampa and the area around Station 22 is filled with newer residential subdivisions and retail plazas.

The nearly $1.7 million facility — the new address is 10871 Cross Creek Blvd. — was paid for with federal grant money. Ground broke on the three-bay, 8,200-square-foot facility in March 2011.

Benniefield said another federal grant awarded to the city will help cover staffing of the new station for one year.

Organizers of the grand opening congratulated the new first-responders who will staff Station 22. That includes firefighter Jermaine Farrington who will be working the “B“ shift. He previously worked at Tampa Fire Rescue’s Station 7.

“You only get a first station once in a lifetime,” he said.

Tampa City Councilwoman Lisa Montelione, whose district includes New Tampa, was on hand for the event.

“Cutting down on response time is what it’s all about,” she said of the station’s opening. “It’s a really needed asset." 

The Station 22 building features a number of “green” elements, including a solar-powered water heater, environmentally friendly building materials and landscaping composed of native plants.


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