Bay County getting portable fire stations after Hurricane Michael
The county agreed to buy the two portable stations for a total of about
Both structures are composed mostly of a thick, fabric-like material and can be erected and taken down again similarly to tents. The stations, strong enough to withstand nearly 190 mph winds, will have kitchens and will be used to store vehicles and equipment.
Similar structures have recently been used at
"Both of those old locations were decided way before the county got into the fire business," Bowen said. "Those particular locations are not good locations for fire stations."
Once the temporary stations are erected, the county will have the full firefighting coverage it did prior to the storm, Bowen said.
And after they're placed, the county will start looking for money to build new permanent stations. Once that is done, then the temporary stations will be available for other uses, Bowen said.
"We can break them down, but them back in a box and store them for when we need them, or we can place them in other unincorporated areas," Bowen said.
Bowen said adding more fire stations, even temporary ones, could help lower insurance rates for some area homeowners.
"These stations will allow us to go into rural parts of the county and put a station in there and put an engine in it," he said.
___
(c)2019 The News Herald (Panama City, Fla.)
Visit The News Herald (Panama City, Fla.) at www.newsherald.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Studies are like snowflakes — no two are alike
Man killed in Monroe County fire with wife was Vietnam War special forces veteran
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News