Hurricane season is right around the corner and the city of Seminole is making sure their first responders are ready when disaster strikes.

  • Bay Area fire station ready to ride out Hurricane season
  • City of Seminole opens new Fire Station 32
  • Station re-built to category 5 hurricane resistance standards

On Friday, city leaders cut the ribbon on the brand new Fire Station 32.

The building isn’t just a place to house crews and equipment. It has been re-built to category 5 hurricane resistance standards.

"It has the capacity to withhold winds for a category 5 and a large generator which will allow the crews to stay here up to 7 days on full power,” Seminole Fire Rescue Chief Heather Burford said.

Chief Heather Burford said the old station, which was built in the late 1960’s, was in disrepair and getting dangerous.

"We weren't even able to remain inside the building beyond a tropical storm, any category 1 or beyond we were removing vital crews from the area," Chief Burford said.

Chief Burford said conditions at the old station put the community at risk when it came to response times. The new and improved station also has more space for fire crews to relax or workout while waiting for their next call.

"Their jobs are difficult, sometimes very challenging, and sometimes very upsetting. So to be able to come home to a sound place that you can call home where they can kind of chill out and get ready for the next call, I think that's the most important part," Chief Burford said.