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LAYTON, Utah (AP) -- Layton officials plan to build a new fire station closer to where there is the most need.
Instead of a central area in town, the new station will be located closer to the foothills, where mountain grasses can quickly fuel wildfires. The fires can be a huge threat to homes that have been built on the edge of town and aren't easy for fire crews to access.
City officials considered building the new station in an area near Layton Hills Mall and Davis Conference Center. But those spots are much easier to get to for trucks from the existing stations.
So now they're planning the $2.6 million project to the east near U.S. Highway 89.
"There is a big hole right where that station is going in," Fire Chief Kevin Ward said.
The location will greatly enhance emergency response to the eastern and southeastern parts of the city, Ward said. The area has more than 11,000 residents in almost 3,400 and averages 683 fire calls per year, he said.
Ward hopes construction on the new station will begin next year.
The city has been setting funds aside for a new fire station since 2005.
City Finance Director Steve Ashby said about $1.4 million has been saved so far. About $200,000 of that has been generated from the city's public safety impact fee assessed on new home construction since 2005, he said.
Fire agencies from throught Davis County plan to meet Thursday to discuss the impact this year's heavy snowpack will have on the threat for wildfires. More moisture means more mountain grass, which when it dries up is quick to ignite and start a wildfire.
Information from: Standard-Examiner
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
