New Tampa To Celebrate Grand Opening Of Fire Station

NEW TAMPA, FL -- Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn will join Tampa Fire Rescue to officially open Tampa's newest fire station Wednesday, Jan. 30 at 10:30 a.m.

The station is located on Trout Creek Drive, behind L.A. Fitness and Winn-Dixie at Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and County Line Road. It will serve the northernmost part of New Tampa, providing additional fire and EMS services to the area's growing population.

Station 23 contains a three-bay apparatus garage with attached work and sleeping quarters, and a separate classroom for training. The station is home to an engine company, a truck company and a rescue unit.The design incorporates several environmentally friendly features including high-efficiency lighting and controls, solar-powered exterior lighting, an energy-efficient air-condition system, solar-powered hot water heating, use of recycled materials and Florida- friendly landscaping.

Station 23 is part of Tampa Fire District 5, which was formed in December 2017 as part of a reorganization of stations meant to provide better and more efficient service to the city.

The station is situated at the Pasco County line and will provide reciprocal mutual aid service to nearby residents in Pasco and Hillsborough counties.

"Station 23's opening has been highly anticipated within the department and we're all very pleased to see these assets go into service up here," said Tampa Fire Chief Nick LoCicero.

Apparatus assigned to the station, Engine 23 and Rescue 23, have been in service since July 2018, temporarily operating out of existing stations and responding to calls.

"It just made good sense to put these assets in service and allow the crews to work together to form a cohesive bond while we waited for the station to be finished," LoCicero said. "It is all in keeping with our commitment to protect the community."

Station 23 will begin responding to emergency calls immediately following the grand opening ceremony. In addition to the mayor, Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera, who represents the New Tampa area, will be in attendance.

Image via Tampa Fire Rescue

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