New Hanover County dedicates Gordon Road fire station, touts $12.5 million investment in public safety

New Hanover County officials and fire-rescue leaders on Monday dedicated the county's newest fire station on the Gordon Road corridor, calling the facility a major investment in emergency response as the area continues to grow.

"This is what $12,500,000 investment in public safety looks like," Chair Leanne Pierce said, noting the station was built "with you in mind" for firefighters and to serve as the department's administration headquarters. The chair said the opening keeps a promise to residents and responds to rising demand in the Gordon Road corridor.

Why it matters: County leaders framed the station as one part of a broader capital push. A commissioner described the two stations opened in the last two months as part of a roughly $23,000,000 capital commitment to fire services, and officials said the new facility will cut response times, centralize command and position the department for future growth.

Fire Chief Donnie Hall, who closed the indoor remarks and led participants to the exterior ceremony, said the station is the second dedicated this year and emphasized partnerships across county departments and with private-sector partners in delivering the project. "This station is ready. The crews assigned here are ready, and this community is protected," Hall said.

Contractors and designers who worked on the project also spoke. Brent Moretti, superintendent with Samet Corporation in Wilmington, thanked his construction team and named onsite contributors, saying the project will help save property and, most importantly, lives. Ken Newell of Stewart Cooper Newell Architects described design elements including an administrative wing for leadership, two double-loaded apparatus bays, individual bunk rooms intended to address gender separation needs and a physical-training room.

The architect said designers incorporated measures intended to reduce cancer risks for firefighters, noting the facility follows relevant NFPA standards. "The facility itself is just over 15,000 square feet," Newell said; other speakers described the building as "more than 14,000 square feet," a discrepancy noted in officials' remarks.

Operational details and pilot programs: A commissioner said the county plans to pilot placing four firefighters on a single truck at the station to test staffing models intended to increase services. Officials also emphasized that the site will serve as a central administrative hub where the chief and leadership team can coordinate responses and daily operations.

Funding and scope: Chair Pierce identified the station as a $12,500,000 investment. Another commissioner framed the two recent stations together as a $23,000,000 capital commitment; officials described a five-year plan that outlines additional public-safety infrastructure investments.

Next steps and ceremony: After indoor remarks, Chief Hall directed attendees outside for a traditional fire-service uncoupling of a hose (instead of a ribbon cut), a flag-raising and the pledge of allegiance to formally place the station in service.

Speakers quoted in this article are taken from public remarks during the dedication. Several design and construction partners were recognized, including Samet Corporation and Stewart Cooper Newell Architects, as were private supporters Vic and Lee Venters.