New Start in Navarre
By Dusty Ricketts, Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach
Jun. 5–NAVARRE BEACH — Nearly two years after Hurricane Dennis destroyed their fire station, Navarre Beach firefighters are home.
Construction on the new Navarre Beach Fire Department’s station has wrapped up, and firefighters started moving in Monday, said Fire Chief Mike Howard.
After many months of operating out of a small trailer in a parking lot near the old Navarre Beach fishing pier, Howard said it feels good to be home.
“I know (the firefighters) are glad to finally be out of that trailer,” Howard said. “(The firefighters) like it. They can actually move around in here. They could go a little stir crazy staying in that little camper.”
It will take firefighters a week or more to be completely moved into the new station, Howard said.
The old fire station had been standing for more than 25 years when Hurricane Ivan initially damaged the building in September 2004.
Before repairs were complete, Hurricane Dennis hit in July 2005 and took out the rest of the building.
The new station has been built to the latest building codes and has several other features designed to help protect it in future storms.
The large bay doors have been designed to withstand 130 mph winds, and the lower portion of the outside walls were built to wash away without damaging the rest of the building if it is hit by storm surge.
The public has also helped the Navarre Beach Fire Department by donating desks, chairs and other items to help furnish the new station.
“The public has really come through on the things that were donated to us,” Howard said.
With the fire station reopened, the fire department can now focus on its next hurricane-related project, equipment.
With no garage to protect its fire trucks during the past 23 months, the department’s fire engine and ladder truck are both in bad shape.
The ladder truck will soon be sent off for a $150,000 refurbishment to return the vehicle to good working order. As it is now, Howard said he worries about how safe the ladder is after being out in the elements for so long.
The department’s other fire truck will possibly be used as a trade-in for a new fire engine the department is negotiating to buy.
Daily News Staff Writer Dusty Ricketts can be reached at 863-1111, Ext. 448.
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