Jackson official: New fire station should open in 2012

Though Jackson's second fire station is still another year or so away from being operational, fire chief Jason Mouser has been busy trying to fund more equipment to house at both stations.

In late 2010 Mouser applied for and received more than $720,000 in grant money from the Assistance to Firefighters Grants. With the city's matching portion of about $36,000, he is purchasing 24 mobile radios and a repeater system to bring the department into compliance with FCC mandates, as well as a 75-foot ladder truck.

"It has been 30 years this year since our last brand-new purchase of a ladder truck," he said.

Mouser said the truck is longer than the traditional 50-foot ladder truck and will remain at the department's current station.

Since the passage of the fire tax in November -- which approved a quarter-cent sales tax -- the department has been creating an operational system to manage equipment at two stations. Much of the department's current equipment is older and heavier, and Mouser said it will be housed at the new station to give the equipment a break from some of the call load.

In 2009, Mouser received about $125,000 in firefighters act money and a city match of $6,250 to purchase a brush truck with a 300-gallon water tank and hose for natural cover fires, as well as extrication tools, technical rescue equipment and other emergency medical service equipment. It will stay at the current station.

For Mouser and other firefighters, the new station can't come soon enough. In 2010 the station received 1,364 calls, a jump from the 1,235 calls received in 2009.

Alderman Mark Dambach, co-chairman of the city's fire station committee, said the city is in contract negotiations with a design firm for the new station, on Old Orchard Road near the east water tower. Because the city is in active negotiations, Dambach and city administrator Jim Roach wouldn't release the name of the firm or any dollar amounts. City officials called for proposals in December and received six total.

Roach said he'd like to be able to provide the board of aldermen with a contract to vote on at its Tuesday meeting.

Originally Dambach and Roach said the city's goal was to have the station operational by the end of the year, but Roach said the early part of next year is more realistic.

"I'm going to hedge a little on 2011. The early part of 2012 is probably a safer bet," he said.

Roach said he would like contractors to be able to take their time on the station and not feel rushed to hit a December deadline. Allowing 12 months from the time of contract to the end of the project is reasonable and realistic, he said.

The tax, which takes effect later this year, will fund operations and personnel at both stations. The second station is in response to the city's population growth on its east side, an increase in total call volume and the threat of losing its insurance rating.

cbartholomew@semissourian.com

243-8600

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