Prince William County to get four new fire stations
The new stations follow a September study by county fire and rescue that found while population has grown by 23 percent over the last ten years, fire and rescue incidents have grown by 51 percent.
The study was prepared by Battalion Chief Steve Strawderman.
It also said an analysis of current call volume for each company revealed that nine stations exceeded the desired maximum capacity of 3,000 incidents a year and all nine stations are in high density areas.
In November 2000, residents became concerned about the impact of a countywide fire levy on the proposed Prince William Commons fire station. That station was to be built by the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department. However, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors questioned the site and in the process asked that the sites for all proposed fire stations be reviewed, as well.
The purpose of the September study was to make recommendations for the capital improvements budget, which proposes $665.1 million in spending on new buildings through 2008.
The stations proposed are Linton Hall in Gainesville, River Oaks in Woodbridge, Lake Jackson outside Manassas and Dominion Club in Haymarket. The stations would be built between 2004 and 2008.
The $4.6 million Linton Hall fire company will be in the vicinity of Linton Hall Road and Devlin Road. The project is jointly proposed by the Nokesville and Gainesville Volunteer Fire Departments. Construction is scheduled for fiscal 2003, with occupancy in July 2004.
Linton Hall was identified in the study as a priority because multiple large-scale subdivisions were constructed there over the past eight years, increasing population.
About $4.4 million of the funding for that station will come from the countywide fire levy while about $203,000 will come from proffers.
The Birchdale Station, Station 10, will replace the current one at the intersection of Birchdale Avenue and Dale Boulevard. The new $3.9 million station will be 13,000 square feet with expanded office space, sleeping quarters and a fitness area. Almost all of it will be paid for by the countywide fire levy, with about $38,000 to come from proffers from developers.
The $5 million Dominion Club Fire and Rescue station in Haymarket will also be 13,000-square feet, built on proffered land at the intersection of Dominion Club Drive and Antioch Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2007, with occupancy in 2008. About $4.9 million for construction will come from the countywide fire levy while about $69,000 will come from proffers.
The station will include a pumper and an advanced life support ambulance.
A $2 million expansion of the Lake Jackson Fire station is planned for fiscal 2005 and will serve the Lake Jackson, Brentsville and Canova areas. Size of the living quarters will be increased, and office space, classroom facilities and a weight room will be included.