County outlines Fire Station 1 rebuild funded by state appropriation; 50% design, construction targeted early 2026

Public Safety Director Casey Dasher told the Board on July 14 that Hardee County’s Fire Station 1 replacement is moving forward with state-appropriated funds and is at roughly 50% design.

Dasher said the new station will prioritize a hardened structure for storm resilience and maintenance efficiency. The conceptual design keeps five apparatus bays (configured deep enough for two vehicles back-to-back), adds a larger training room and administrative space, a kitchen/dayroom and bunks, and incorporates a decontamination process intended to reduce contamination of living quarters after hazardous calls. The plan also includes a future training tower (phase 3) to host higher-level classes, help improve the county’s ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating and support recruitment/training for local cadet programs.

Dasher said the project team is coordinating on site logistics: while building occurs, apparatus will operate from the east end of the existing station; the old building likely will be removed when the new station is complete. He said design is at 50% and the county plans to advertise solicitations July 24, with a target to begin construction in early 2026 and an expected grant-agreement completion date of December 2027 (staff noted the construction timeline could be shorter, but the December 2027 date reflects grant language).

Commissioners asked technical questions about bay depth and whether the training tower and other phases are expected to be completed within the grant schedule; Dasher said the full build (including training tower) may require additional funding depending on final architect estimates. Commissioners and staff praised the project and thanked the director for work securing the appropriation.

No contract award or construction contract was voted at the meeting; staff said they will update the commission as procurement and construction proceed.