Construction of Fire Station No. 8 will begin two years ahead of schedule, as announced at the March 30 groundbreaking ceremony at the Police and Fire Training Center, 4205 E. Omaha St., west of the Broken Arrow Animal Shelter.
Fire Chief Jeremy Moore provided the history of the project and said this new fire station is a “testament to long-term planning and community support.”
In 2015, the city operated six fire stations. City Council and leadership transitioned to data-driven decision-making by commissioning a study to identify optimal locations for future stations based on response times and operational needs.
The study recommended relocating one station and adding two more. Voters approved funding for these new stations through General Obligation Bonds in 2014 and 2018.
“Here we are today breaking ground on Fire Station No. 8,” Moore said. “We couldn’t be happier to be here, because this fire station fulfills the goals identified in that plan, but more importantly, this fire station delivers on the promise we made in that 2018 bond election to all of our citizens. And today, we’re delivering on that promise. It was even more impressive. We promised we would start Fire Station No. 8 by 2028. If that’s not progress as promised, I don’t know what is.”
Moore commended the firefighters serving northeastern Broken Arrow as the initiative progresses, and the citizens who made it possible.
“These projects don’t happen by chance,” Moore said. “These things happen when we choose to invest in ourselves.”
Fire Station No. 8 will exceed 11,000 square feet and feature four apparatus bays, two captain’s quarters, eight bunk rooms, and a fitness area. Upon completion, it will house an engine company, an ambulance, and a brush truck, further enhancing service to the community.
Mayor Debra Wimpee said the city is building more than just a new fire station.
“We’re building peace of mind for our community and a stronger, safer future for the generations to come,” Wimpee said. Thank you to everyone who made this possible, and to the brave men and women who serve here. We cannot thank you enough.”
City Manager Michael Spurgeon added that Fire Station No. 8 represents a direct $6 million investment in public safety.
“It reflects our commitment to protecting the lives and property of the citizens and businesses who call Broken Arrow home,” Spurgeon said. “Broken Arrow will always make sure that public safety is our number one priority because, as I’ve said on many occasions, the success of our community or any community begins with its commitment to making sure that your city is safe.”
Spurgeon also expressed gratitude to the voters who made the new fire station possible.
“Without their support, this project and many others that were approved in 2018 would not have been possible,” Spurgeon said. “Our community will have the opportunity to go to the polls again in just a few days to make decisions on additional investments that continue to make sure that we maintain a great quality of life within our community.”
As the community grows, Spurgeon said projects like these ensure the city is prepared for both current and future needs.
“This is more than a building, it’s a promise to our community that we will continue to invest in public safety preparedness and make sure that the folks that provide those services are well prepared to do so,” Spurgeon concluded.
