Henderson County to add six new fire stations
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HENDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — Residents in rural communities in Henderson County are getting more fire protection with the addition of six new volunteer fire stations. “There couldn’t be any better money spent than to have a new fire station,” lifelong Darden resident Ralph Gabbard said. Gabbard currently lives more than five miles away from the nearest fire house. Once station 14 is built, he will live about three miles away from first responders. Henderson County Fire Chief Lynn Murphy said the county has known for a while the new stations needed to be built “It will put all properties that are outside of five road miles of these six areas within the five road miles of a fire station,” he said. Henderson County commissioners approved $450,000 for the project. Murphy said all the land was donated by residents. Bulldozers have cleared one of the new sites and are working on the others as long as the weather cooperates, Murphy said. Murphy said adding six fire stations will bring the total number of stations to 17. He said the cost of adding six new buildings won’t burn a hole in tax payers’ wallets — in the long run, they’ll actually save money, according to Murphy. “It will not only save people money through their property that’s saved by quicker fire protection being there for them,” Murphy said. “It will also additionally in the future save on insurance premiums.” The county currently is rated a six out of 10 by the Insurance Services Office. Residents living near the new stations said they’re thrilled with the increased protection. “It’d be hopeless if we need them and then them like eight to ten miles away,” Carolyn Threadgill said. Construction on the buildings is expected to begin this fall.
