Sanford, FL – October 20, 2016 – Wharton-Smith, Inc., one of Central Florida’s largest locally based general contractors, gathered with Osceola County Commissioners and members of the Osceola County Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services on Monday, October 17, 2016 to celebrate the grand opening of the County’s new Fire Rescue & EMS Station 64, located on Pleasant Hill Road near Reaves Road. Commissioner Brandon Arrington and Osceola County Fire and Rescue Chief Robert Sorenson welcomed the crowd thanking everyone involved in the project for taking part in building a facility that will improve community safety throughout the County.
Instead of a traditional ribbon-cutting, Osceola County Fire/EMS conducted an ‘uncoupling ceremony’ using the new fire hose to welcome service Station 64. For the past 15 years, Osceola County Fire Station 64 has operated out of a makeshift station consisting of a trailer and shed. During intense storms with high winds fire crews were forced to evacuate to a more permanent facility leaving the area’s citizens unprotected. Constructed of concrete tilt wall, the new four-bay station provides a durable structure able to withstand severe weather events up to 150 mph winds.
The 12,456-square-foot station, designed by architect C.T. Hsu + Associates, will serve as a prototype for all future Osceola County fire stations. The facility houses up to 10 firefighters and a Battalion Chief, and features training facilities, dormitory spaces, a new modern kitchen, fitness room, storage, and a community room that can be used for small group meetings. The station will provide operations for the fire department’s administration, response units, support, and training.
“We are extremely proud to partner with Osceola County on the Fire Rescue and EMS Station 64 project”, said Darin Crafton, Vice President – Commercial. “As a ‘community builder,’ projects such as this is what drives us to come to work every day. It is gratifying to know that our efforts result in helping to keep a community safer and we are fortunate to have a hand in that.”
To see photos from the event, visit our Flickr page: https://flic.kr/s/aHskLQSKwj