St. Stephens Station 2 Undergoes Major Renovation

Since 1957 the St. Stephens Fire Department has provided fire protection to the citizens of the St. Stephens Community. The fire dept. began by providing service out of a small two bay station located behind Shells Bar-B-Q. In 1967, as the department grew, another four bay station was built to hold additional apparatus and personnel and would replace the old station behind Shells. As years past and the requirements by the North Carolina Department of Insurance got stricter, there was a need for a satellite station. In 1996 construction was completed on a second fire station. This satellite station currently holds an engine and a ladder truck and was built to better serve the lower Springs Road and St. Peters Church Road areas outside of the five mile range of our station one.

In 2008 the St. Stephens Fire Department was asked by Catawba County Officials if we would consider providing medical first response within our district, and if so could we later provide technical rescue services as well. We felt it was in the best interest of the citizens that we do this and we agreed to provide the services. Immediately a four month EMT Basic course was held at our station and our members were certified by the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services. Once completed, the fire department began providing this service to our citizens. Once the EMT training was completed we turned our foucus to the technical rescue service and aquired enough state certified technical rescue personnel to provide this service. By the fall of 2010 the St. Stephens Fire Department had enough personnel and acquired all of the equipment to acquire a medium rescue designation through the North Carolina Rescue and Emergency Medical Association.

With the addition of two new services and additional personnel we felt it was time to expand our facilities to accommodate. In late 2009 early 2010 we began researching several different contractors with fire station design experience. Bobbitt Design Build was later chosen because of their fire station experience and the excellent manner in which they do business. Not only would they allow our station two to remain operational during the construction process so we could continue providing service to our citizens and maintain our insurance rating, they also allowed us to have input on the use of local sub-contractors and suppliers to keep monies local.

The addition to station two will add an additional 12,700 square feet to the building and also renovate the existing 2,640 square feet. The new building will feature brick and stone detailing on the exterior to blend in to the surrounding community. The apparatus bays will consist of four drive through bays which can accommodate up to eight pieces of apparatus should this become our primary station in the future. Interior features will include office space, four dorm rooms to accommodate volunteer or paid staff, day room, conference room, decon room, storage, and a training room that can accommodate up to 64 people. Also included will be an exercise room in which firefighters can utilize to stay physically fit to perform their duties. Firefighting is still one of the most demanding jobs in the industry and the most leading cause of heart attacks in the nation. The completion of renovations to station two are expected in mid 2011.