Sarasota County Celebrates New Emergency Services Headquarters
In a vibrant ceremony marked by a symbolic hose decoupling, ribbon-cutting, and the push-in of a vintage fire truck, Sarasota County officially opened its new Emergency Services headquarters.
The new facility, located at 6062 Porter Way off I-75, is a $16 million investment encompassing 28,418 square feet. It will serve as the administrative heart supporting fire and EMS operations across 25 locations in the county.
Director of Emergency Services Richard Collins highlighted a significant transformation during the ceremony. “Just five years ago, our administrative staff consisted of just a fire chief, EMS chief, operations chief, logistics chief, and 10 administrative support staff,” he noted, reflecting on their cramped 3,789-square-foot space in the Sarasota County Administration Building.
The new $16 million Sarasota County Fire and Rescue Administration building.
With a population surge of 50,000, bringing the total to over 480,000 residents, call volume has risen by 11.4%. Collins conveyed the need for a reorganization of emergency services, now including two deputy chiefs, seven assistant chiefs, and various battalion chiefs to meet these demands.
The new headquarters is built to endure a Category 4 hurricane, with provisions for future growth through unfinished space on the second floor.
Collins pointed out, “We see the potential for adding 46 positions between unfunded mandates for the fire marshal’s office and the needs of our growing community.”
Strategically located near the county’s Emergency Operations Center, the headquarters will facilitate efficient responses during hurricanes and tropical storms, ensuring public safety remains a top priority.
The push-in ceremony of the vintage fire truck at the new administration building, reminiscent of times when horse-drawn fire apparatuses were manually pushed into stations.
County Commission Chairman Joe Neunder emphasized the importance of the new facility, stating, “It represents our ongoing commitment to empower our community and protect public safety with the best resources available.”
As the county attracts new residents seeking a high quality of life, Neunder stressed the need for more personnel to maintain safety and support daily operations. “With increased population, our demand for services continues to rise,” he added.
Justine Pedro performs the National Anthem during the opening ceremonies of the new Sarasota County Emergency Services headquarters.
Neunder noted the current service demand: a call for assistance occurs every seven minutes and 45 seconds, with EMS transporting over 100 patients daily to hospitals.
District 1 Commissioner Teresa Mast remarked on the county’s commitment to future growth, stating, “We have had the privilege of securing funding to make remarkable advancements like today possible, and we look forward to all that this department will achieve in this state-of-the-art facility.”
Key Information
- Location: 6062 Porter Way, Sarasota County, FL
- Cost: $16 million
- Size: 28,418 square feet
- Population Served: Over 480,000
- Service Demand: Calls every 7 minutes and 45 seconds; over 100 daily EMS transports
- Personnel Structure: Includes two deputy chiefs, seven assistant chiefs, and battalion chiefs
- Future Growth Potential: Space for 46 additional positions
Article original publish date: 2025-07-01 07:00:00
Article source: www.yourobserver.com
Read the full story at the original source: www.yourobserver.com
