County hears revised $9.7M estimate for Indian Land fire station and debate over EMS ‘combo’ stations

Lancaster County fire officials told the County Council Committee of the Whole on Wednesday that building Fire Station 3 in Indian Land and equipping it would cost about $9.7 million, and they asked council to consider several related capital and staffing requests.

Chief Greg Nicholson, presenting the Greater Indian Land Fire District budget, said the district is seeking funding for a new station, an engine to accompany the station and additional firefighters. "Fire trucks are about a four‑year build," Nicholson told council, noting lead times for apparatus and construction. He also said the district is asking for three firefighters to staff new shifts and for an engine assigned to the planned station.

During the broader budget discussion Chief Nicholson and other county staff raised the possibility of locating EMS resources and fire apparatus together in future projects. "We could combine the resources to position ambulances and fire apparatus where call demand is highest," Nicholson said, describing the idea as a way to create 24‑hour coverage while reducing response gaps and long re‑positioning distances.

Van Wyck Fire District Chief Craig Roof asked council to consider a fee increase to fund a paid firefighter for Van Wyck; Roof said his district has grown call volume by about 35% and that the district is asking to raise its fee from the current $90 to $180 per rooftop to support an additional staff hire.

County staff and fire leaders also reviewed requests for capital replacement and apparatus across several districts, including planned purchases budgeted under the capital replacement fund (Fund 11). The county budget team later noted that the capital replacement fund’s current 6.4 millage will need evaluation as council considers funding for multiple rolling‑stock and facility projects during the fiscal 2026 budget process.

Council members asked staff to reconcile a small discrepancy in the Greater Indian Land Fire District’s detailed itemized budget and recommended staff return with corrected figures and fund‑source recommendations for the station and engine request. Members also pressed for clarity about how any county‑funded stations in Indian Land would interact with the city of Lancaster’s plans for city fire stations and the timing of any transfers of personnel or funding.

Chief Nicholson said the county could only pull city‑funded personnel into county service after operational readiness is assured and with appropriate notice under any intergovernmental agreements. The county administration said staff would return with clearer funding options, including whether impact fees, sales tax sources or a combination of funds should be used for larger capital items.