SANFORD, Fla. – Sanford Fire Rescue has opened a new station, a move leaders say will improve emergency response times and reduce call volume for nearby crews as the area continues to grow.
Sanford is home to over 60,000 people across. Officials say the new station is needed to keep up with rising demand.
Fire Station 40 is expected to improve response times by more than two minutes in a growing area of Sanford that serves more than 2,100 households, according to officials. The station is also expected to help reduce call volume at Fire Station 32 on Airport Boulevard.
Over the past decade, Station 32’s call volume increased 46%, with more than 4,000 calls last year alone, officials said.
Crews say the new station will help position resources closer to where new homes and businesses are being built. Officials noted continued residential and commercial development in the area, including a hotel and additional communities planned.
Leaders said there are no immediate plans for another new station, but they are evaluating upgrades and remodels for some older stations.