Fire chief outlines proposal for third Henderson fire station to serve west side of I‑85
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Summary
Fire Chief Steve Cordell presented a plan for a third fire station on Henderson's west side to address areas currently outside a 1.5-mile response target, estimated at $3.5–$4.0 million, and described financing options including bank loans and a possible USDA grant.
Fire Chief Steve Cordell told the Henderson City Council at its Feb. 3 strategic retreat that a 2018 fire study recommended adding a third fire station and 12 firefighters to improve coverage for areas west of I‑85 that fall outside the department’s 1.5-mile response goal.
Cordell outlined proposed sites, described a conceptual floorplan and estimated the cost to fully outfit a new station at roughly $3.5 million to $4 million. He told Council the department had been pursuing grant opportunities for equipment and said a FEMA grant—on the agenda for ratification at the Feb. 8 meeting—would fund upgraded attack hose, lighter ground ladders, rescue rigging and an eDRAULIC Comi rescue tool.
The chief described three financing options: paying cash, a conventional bank loan (banks indicated a likely 20-year loan at about 2.125% with a 1% origination fee), or a USDA loan/grant package that could extend to 30 years and potentially include origination and the fire study costs. He said USDA funding would begin repayment one year after construction and that typical approval timelines run 60–90 days.
City Manager Terrell Blackmon said the city’s debt capacity and the budget impacts have not yet been vetted with Finance and pledged to return to Council with the financial analysis. Council members asked whether existing station coverage areas would change, whether traffic patterns were considered in site selection, whether the County might share EMS space, and whether COVID protocols (for example, sleeping arrangements) would be accommodated; Cordell said existing two-station coverage areas would remain unchanged, State-proposed traffic patterns were considered, a County EMS presence was possible on a portion of a new station, and the new design would allow for COVID‑era protocols.
Cordell told Council adding a station would help the department meet NFPA 1710 standards and improve the city’s fire-service rating. Council Member Jason A. Spriggs said locking in a location would be an early step; Blackmon said staff would coordinate with Finance and the City Clerk on follow-up. The FEMA equipment grant was noted for ratification at the next regular meeting.