Kilgore builds new station to house three full time ambulances
NEW STATION GOING UP
By LESTER MURRAY news2@kilgorenewsherald.com

Kilgore Director of Public Safety Ronnie Moore talks with William Perkins about the progress of the new EMT Station going up on Hwy. 31 that will be manned by Champion Ambulance Service.

A need for more fire coverage for the City of Kilgore required the relocation of Champion Ambulance Service.

The solution came with the city building a brand new emergency medical service building located in the 400 block of Hwy. 31 west.

Chief Ronnie Moore, director of public service for the City of Kilgore, said the new building should cost approximately $250,000.

"The building will remain the property of the city, but Champion will lease the building," said Moore. "This will help the city recoup some of the expenses involved in the move."

Moore said Station 3 is al- ready being renovated with new floors, new roof and general remodeling to the station that will house three firefighters per shift.

The new EMT station will house four ambulances, three full time and one part-time, said Moore. "The station will have four bays and individual bedrooms for the (Emergency Medical Technicians)," said Moore.

When the city and Champion discussed a location, they agreed the Hwy. 31 location would put the ambulance service in an area of the city where almost 80 percent of their calls are directed, said Moore.

William Perkins Construction is doing the shell of the building. Perkins said he does most of the work for Merritt Tool and for the Merritt family. "Our part of the building should be done in the next three to four weeks," said Perkins.

Moore said if there is no glitches, the station should be up and running by the middle of August.

The city has already hired new firefighters to be posted at Station 3. "We received a grant which allows us to hire six firefighters," said Moore. "Over the next five years, (all or part of ) their salaries will be paid by the grant, decreasing 20 percent each year until the fifth year when it will be up to the city to meet payroll expenses."

Moore said he hopes the local economy will still be still strong and he believes the area where Station 3 is located is an area where the City of Kilgore will be expanding. "We also have a new 500,000 square foot facility in our coverage area and other industrial development in Synergy Park," said Moore.

Moore said the new firefighters are already receiving inhouse training even though all six are fully certified firefighters. "Once the renovation of Station 3 is complete they will be ready to move right in," said Moore.

Moore said the new lease with Champion for the new building is expected to cover the next ten years.