Seminole County opens new Station 39, officials say it will cut response times
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Summary
Seminole County leaders and Fire Chief Matt Kinley celebrated the grand opening of Fire Station 39, saying the new facility and equipment will reduce response times by more than two minutes and relieve call volume at nearby stations; neighbors and officials took part in a hose-uncoupling ceremony and ribbon cutting.
Seminole County officials on Monday celebrated the grand opening of Fire Station 39 in District 5, calling it a boost to emergency response in a growing area.
Darren Gray, Seminole County manager, welcomed residents and dignitaries to the ceremony and thanked county staff, mutual-aid partners and community volunteers who supported the project. "Welcome everyone to this beautiful historic occasion as we celebrate the grand opening of Seminole County's fire station 39," Gray said.
The county's fire chief, Matt Kinley, described Station 39's apparatus and role in local response. "Seconds do matter," Kinley said, and he told the crowd Station 39 "improves response times by more than 2 minutes in this growing area, serving nearly 11,000 residents and more than 4,100 households." Kinley said the station will relieve call volume at stations 34 and 36, that station 34's calls increased roughly 53% over the past decade, and that the department handled more than 5,000 calls at that station last year. He also highlighted that the facility will deploy a crash attenuator truck to protect crews on road incidents.
Longtime neighbor Kathy Ginola, introduced during the program as the station's "station mom," told the crowd she had personally experienced the department's care and praised their outreach and professionalism. "Knowing we have now a station closer to home gives us a greater peace of mind," Ginola said.
A chaplain led a short blessing for the station and personnel before the formal hose-uncoupling and ribbon-cutting ceremonies. County leaders invited the public to tour the new facility afterward and thanked local partners including the Seminole County Sheriff's Office and neighboring fire departments for their support.
No formal motions, votes or ordinance actions were part of the ceremony; the event was ceremonial and marked the station's entry into service. Organizers said tours, photographs and refreshments were available following the ribbon cutting.
