VIDEO: Building 16729 on US Highway 70 has been home to the Lone Grove Fire Department for 50 years. But, not for much longer. โItโs been added on to, I know of four times, and we have just outgrown it over the years,โ Stacey Phelps, fire chief of the department says. Phelps said their call volume has tripled in the past few years and theyโre running out of room for equipment. The small cityโs population has steadily grown over the past few years and Lone Grove expects it to continue.
โFor future growth, we need a little bigger,โ Phelps explained. Thatโs why the city secured funding for a major capital improvement project: the construction of a brand new fire station. The brand new firehouse includes a 12-bay training facility, ambulance accommodations, and a helipad. All on a lot thatโs a little closer to the interstate, making it easier for firefighters to respond to emergencies more quickly.
Phelps says the best part is how theyโre paying for it. โNone of this is city money,โ Phelps said. โThis is all state, Department of Commerce and FEMA grants -100%.โ Lone Groveโs residents wonโt be the only ones benefiting. The new facility will serve as a training hub for seven volunteer fire departments in Carter County as well. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held Jul. 22 at 9:30 a.m. on 248 Cottonwood St.
