Braving 100 degree outdoor temperatures, a host of local dignitaries, headlined by U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, ceremonially broke ground for a Flower Mound Fire Station No. 5 in the southern part of the town, Monday afternoon. When completed early next summer, the fire station, at 800 Spinks Road, will help the department position its personnel and resources so it can quickly respond to emergencies in any part of the growing community it serves.  Station 5 is situated to deliver fire protection, emergency medical service and other emergency response in the town’s growing business district, several residential subdivisions, current and planned schools and the town’s main recreational areas. The station will be equipped with a hook and ladder engine in anticipation of needs for capabilities in emergencies in multi-story buildings.

     The new fire station will use much the same plan as Fire Station 4, currently under construction in the Bridlewood area, said Place 2 Councilman Al Filidoro.  The council awarded a contract for $2,937,670 bid for construction of the Fire Station 5 to EMJ Corporation at the Aug. 3 meeting, selecting the bid from among 12 submitted.  Based on the favorable contract, the Town retains $886.300 in its Capital Improvements budget for the Fire Station. Mayor Jody Smith praised the town’s fire department, which has been rated among the elite in Texas. “We have the best safety professionals anywhere in Texas,” Smith said, adding that the town is working to provide them with the facilities, equipment, tools and training they need to continue setting standards of excellence.

     Fire Chief Eric Metzger praised the Town Council and other municipal leaders for their willingness to provide the department with the resources it needs to protect lives and property.  Noting that the department often comes upon scenes of injury and destruction, he said it’s the work of firefighters “to make somebody’s bad day a little bit better.” Dr. Burgess praised the town’s firefighters and marveled at the courage and dedication displayed by firefighters across the country. He spoke of his admiration for local firefighters who came to the aid of the nation’s military after the September 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon. The federal government, through the office of Homeland Security will provide the Town of Flower Mound approximately $2.9 million for the staffing of its two new fire stations, Burgess announced.