Hart BOC Approves New Fire Stations

Hart County will be building two new fire stations in the coming months.

One of the stations will be in the Reed Creek area, the other in the Rock Springs community.

At their regular meeting this week, the board of commissioners heard from Hart County Fire Chief Jerry Byrum and County attorney Walter Gordon.

Gordon told the board negotiations for the land for the Rock Springs fire station 9 had finally been worked out.

“I am delighted to report to you that we have closed the transaction and acquired the land for fire station number 9,” Gordon told the council.

Gordon said the land on Rock Springs Road is well suited for a fire station. Gordon said the station will be built on 1.35 acres on Rock Springs Road near Mt. Olivet Road.  Plans are for a 32’ x 40’ substation that will hold two fire trucks and six personnel, according to Byrum.

Commissioner Dan Reyen noted the county was moving forward with a new fire station in that area because of a  change in the ISO ratings for homeowners in that part of the county.

Meantime, work will also soon begin to build a new fire station 2 in the Reed Creek area.  Chief Byrum told the board the current station building is falling apart.

“The present building has construction damage,” he said. “Three of the back walls have cracks from the roof all the way to the floor, the floor is cracked in numerous places, the ceiling is falling and the ceiling tiles are falling, one of the doors doesn’t open and that’s because the building structure is deteriorating.”

Both the new fire stations will be paid for using SPLOST funds allocated for the fire department, county administrator Jon Caime said.