The Fort Smith Fire Department held a ribbon cutting Tuesday, Feb. 13 opening its new fire apparatus maintenance and training facility, arkansasonline.com reported.
City directors amended the 2023 budget in October to purchase and renovate the $1.6 million property, located at 5601 and 5715 Wheeler Avenue, to become the new fire maintenance and training facility, the report said.
Not all the renovations have been complete, and a city official estimates upgrades to the building will cost an additional $100,000 to $125,000, according to the report. Renovations include enhancing lighting, painting, maintenance on the heating system, adding a security system, adding a garage door and installing computer software.
A city official said the fire department did not have a proper facility to support maintenance activities for fire equipment. The official said a city fire station has been used when possible, but much of the work must be performed outside and not in a proper, safe and secure facility, the report said.
The existing building at 5715 Wheeler is 10,000 square feet and can immediately accommodate the department’s vehicles for service needs, while the additional acreage at 5601 Wheeler will accommodate test driving of vehicles and driver training needs for the department, the city official said, according to the report.
