Oxford Fire Department Fire Station No. 1 is seen in Oxford, Miss., Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. (DM Photo | Cady Herring)
The construction on the new Fire Station No. 1, located on McElroy Drive next to the Oxford Post Office, is nearly complete. The construction began last March and the estimated open date of Dec. 1 was delayed due to construction issues.
Despite the delay, Oxford Fire Department Chief Cary Sallis said they hope to move in to the new station within the next week.
The new fire station will replace the existing Fire Stations No. 1 and 2. The districts will change since they now have only three houses instead of four, according to Sallis.
The new location was chosen due to the recent growth in Oxford. Sallis explained the relocation of the station will increase efficiency when responding to calls in the areas near the station.
After the completion of Fire Station No. 1, the next step for the department is to begin the planning for a new Fire Station No. 2. The new station will be located on Sisk Avenue near the Oxford Conference center.
The start date for the construction on the new Fire Station No. 2 will be discussed in the next budget meeting, according to Sallis.
He described the process of moving stations to “be like playing checkers.”
“We are just waiting to make our next move,” Sallis said.
Meanwhile, the firefighters are eager to move into the new station.
“We are very excited,” Lafayette County firefighter Anthony Bonner said. “The new station will give us more room to maneuver around.”
Bonner explained he cannot wait for all the new amenities the new house will have. This includes its own gym equipment, an area for the firefighters to hang out and a fire pole, which they do not have in the current house.
The Oxford Fire Department serves the 19,000 residents of Oxford and 18,000 students who attend The University of Mississippi, according the City of Oxford’s website. The department currently consists of 58 shift personnel spread throughout the current four operating houses. The realignment of Fire House No. 1 does not affect the area in which Ole Miss is located.
