JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) – The long-awaited construction of a significant fire station on Johns Island is now officially underway. This project marks a crucial milestone as the City of Charleston approved a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) contract during Tuesday night’s council meeting. A CMAR involves a construction manager taking on a project and completing it within a set guaranteed maximum price (GMP). In this case, the approved GMP for the CMAR contract is $12.4 million.

Location and Design

Fire Station number 23 is set to be located on Maybank Highway at Wildts Battery Boulevard. The plans envision a facility that includes a training room, three bays, and two units – an engine company and a ladder company. Each unit will have four personnel working on it. This setup is designed to ensure adequate response capabilities as the area continues to grow. Deputy Chief Forrest Cockcroft emphasizes the importance of having enough apparatus and units to handle various emergencies. "To have sufficient resources to respond promptly when needed, this new fire station will provide for growth and help us plan for the future. It will give us an additional engine and a ladder, enhancing our initial response capabilities, especially in commercial fire situations," he explains.

Current Station and Future Demand

Currently, the Charleston Fire Department has only one station on Johns Island, which is Fire Station 17 located on Bohicket Road. Deputy Chief Cockcroft highlights that while they currently have coverage between the Charleston Fire Department and the St. Johns Fire Department, they are looking ahead to meet the increasing demand as the population grows. "We strive to ensure that we have the appropriate number of personnel on the scene for different types of calls, such as structure fires. This new fire station will allow us to meet these benchmarks more quickly as we have a higher density of stations and additional firefighters on the road," he says.

Impact on Surrounding Areas

City of Charleston council member Jim McBride, who represents Johns Island, emphasizes the positive impact this new fire station will have on surrounding areas. "Often, fire stations from James Island and West Ashley have to come and assist us during big fires. Having this station on Maybank will free them up to focus more on their own areas. It not only benefits Johns Island but also James Island and West Ashley," he states. McBride also mentions that the Charleston Fire Chief, Dan Curia, has been proactive in training two fire teams that will occupy the new fire station once it is completed.

Project Timeline

The project is expected to start with shovels in the ground in early 2025, and it is anticipated to be finished by the end of the year. This timeline shows the commitment of the city and the fire department to bring this much-needed facility to Johns Island.Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.