News

County, Valley Hill step up to stage city fire crews, maintain response times

Fire Station 1 is now a demolition zone. General contractor Edifice is on the scene this week to start work on removing the old 9,900-square-foot station and replacing it with a new 19,750 square-foot facility. [BILL MOSS/Hendersonville Lightning]

By Lightning Reports, Published: January 30, 2023

The Hendersonville Fire Department is partnering with Henderson County's emergency services department and Valley Hill Fire & Rescue to "relocate and house crews strategically" while a new Fire Station 1 is built.

Construction fencing went up today to prepare for  demolition of the Boyd Park station, which consultants said was obsolete and not worth renovating. The estimated completion of the new 19,750-square-foot station is projected to be the spring of 2024. 

“City Council has prioritized public safety and made thoughtful decisions throughout this process to ensure efficient delivery of emergency services," City Manager John Connet said in a news release. “Our fire department would not be able to provide uninterrupted service during this construction process without the collaboration and support of Henderson County’s Emergency Services Director Jimmy Brissie and the Henderson County Board of Commissioners.” 

In preparation for Station 1’s demolition, fire department administrators, Connet and County Manager John Mitchell, county Emergency Services Director Jimmy Brissie and Valley Hill Fire & Rescue Chief Tim Garren developed a plan to relocate and house crews strategically throughout Hendersonville to uphold HFD’s commitment to efficient response times to fires and medical emergencies, the city said in a news release. 

“Our department appreciates City Council’s commitment to providing us with a primary station equipped to serve our growing community and department,” Fire Chief D. James Miller said. “Adapting to change certainly has its challenges, but the growing pains will all be worth it when we are celebrating Station 1 at a grand opening ceremony next year.”  

The city operates three rotating fire shifts supervised by a battalion chief that provide 24-hour coverage with three engines and one ladder truck. In late 2022, HFD’s downtown ladder company, engine 9-3 and battalion 9 joined engine 9-2 at the city’s Fire Station 2 on Sugarloaf Road. One engine company has been operating out of Henderson County’s Emergency Services headquarters on Asheville Highway and the final engine company has been operating a peak-hour truck out of the Valley Hill Fire & Rescue station on Willow Road. The city fire department’s administrative staff are split between a temporary trailer at Station 2 and office space provided by Carolina Village during the construction process. 

“We are truly blessed to have so much support in this community that allows our department to continue our excellent response times and customer service while we are without our primary station,” Miller said. “The hospitality and generosity of Henderson County Emergency Management, EMS, Rescue Squad and Valley Hill Fire & Rescue are unmatched. The way our organizations work together doesn’t always happen in other parts of the country and state, and we are thankful for the relationships we have with our partners in Henderson County.” Chief Miller also expressed his appreciation to Carolina Village and its executive director, Kevin Parries, for providing space for two administrative staff members until the new Station 1 is complete. 

Boyd Park’s tennis court and mini-golf amenities officially closed at the end of January as construction fencing goes up and final preparations are made before demolition begins. The city still provides two tennis courts in Patton Park with plans to expand the court offerings. In September 2022, the City Council approved the redevelopment of the tennis court and former racquetball areas in Patton Park. When completed, the new amenity will include six dedicated pickleball courts and two dedicated tennis courts. Construction on the courts is expected to start in the summer of 2023.  

Sitework is under way in Edwards Park which will house the reimagined Laura E. Corn Mini-Golf. Underutilized for years and only a few steps away, Edwards Park will continue to house the Boy Scout huts as well as the new handicap-accessible miniature golf course, concession stand and playground. Local artists and organizations are collaborating to blend old and new course features from the Boyd Park location that honors history and tradition in the redesigned Edwards Park expected to open in the fall of 2023. For more information on these and other city of Hendersonville projects visit www.hendersonvillenc.gov.