Newport News plans to build fire stations in three different sections of the city to improve response times. The first is coming to the northern part of the city.
The city council voted Tuesday night to appropriate more than $5.3 million to build a new Fire Station 11 at the intersection of Turnberry and McManus boulevards.
Two fire crews assigned to the north side, Rescue 2 and Technical Rescue 10, have been situated at a temporary station on leased property at the Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport since 2008. The lease is about to end and the city says the building has had increased maintenance problems and system failures.
The new station is expected to improve response times to Denbigh Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue, as well as to incidents on Interstate 64.
Newport News is one of fewer than 40 fire departments in the country to hold accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and has the highest possible grade from the Insurance Services Organization, which generally means lower insurance premiums for businesses and residents.
The second planned station would serve the Menchville area. Funding for the project begins with the 2024 budget.
The city also is looking to set aside funds for a new Fire Station 8 in the central district. The existing station was built in 1958, when the fire trucks were smaller and the area had fewer calls for service, according to city records.
At the current station, the station supervisor’s office has to double as a bunk room at night because of the limited space. Spacing challenges have made it difficult to add new staff and fire engines.
The city is slated to begin setting aside funding for the $8.6 million project with its 2025 budget.
Jessica Nolte, 757-912-1675, jnolte@dailypress.com
