City holds groundbreaking on new fire station

The City of Huntington broke ground on Tuesday, September 9, for its new Huntington Fire Station No. 1, to be located at 1005 Flaxmill Road. The new fire station is scheduled to be in operation by late 2026. Shown in the photo above turning the dirt, from left, are Dave Teusch, fire marshal, Huntington Fire Department; Father Tony Steinacker, SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and St. Mary Catholic Church; Nick Bauer, assistant chief of operations, Huntington Fire Department; Dave Funk, City Council, District 4; Mayor Richard Strick; Rob Miller, County Commissioner, president; Tony Johnson, fire chief, Huntington Fire Department; Courtney Bonbrake, Huntington Redevelopment Commission; Andrew Rensberger, City Council, At-Large; Colin Davis, Huntington Redevelopment Commission and Charlie Chapman, City Council, 1st District.

The Huntington Fire Department officially broke ground on Tuesday, September 9, for the new Huntington Fire Station No. 1. The new station will be located at 1005 Flaxmill Road in northwest Huntington, on a nearly three-acre site the city purchased in 2008 with the intent to build a fire station. A rendering of the new fire station is shown at right.

“This new fire station will enable the city’s dedicated firefighters to respond to the growing north side with greater speed and efficiency, while still maintaining quick access to downtown and east side neighborhoods,” Fire Chief Tony Johnson said. “Designed with firefighter health and safety as a top priority, the facility includes clearly defined zones that separate the apparatus bay from the living quarters, ensuring a healthier and safer environment for the crews.”

The need to replace the aging Condit Street station has only increased since then. Now nearly 50 years old, the current station on Huntington’s east side is outdated and overcrowded.

The new two-story, 17,750-square-foot Flaxmill Road station is designed to meet the department’s modern operational needs, with a focus on firefighter safety, rapid response and advanced training. Features will include:

• A location near major thoroughfares and growing residential and industrial areas, improving response times citywide.
• Advanced air filtration and decontamination systems to protect firefighters after emergency calls.
• Positive pressure air locks to separate the fire bay from living quarters, minimizing exposure to contaminants and potential carcinogens.
• A dedicated training tower for realistic fire and rescue simulations.
• Expanded, modernized living quarters, administrative offices and community meeting spaces.
• Capacity for eight on-duty firefighters and four administrative staff, ensuring 24/7 readiness.

The total project cost is estimated at $12.6 million. The City will spend approximately $3 million in available cash-on-hand and issue lease bonds through the Huntington Redevelopment Authority to cover the remaining cost.

The foundation and other site concrete work will be completed first, with building construction to begin early next year. The new station’s grand opening is currently on track for late 2026.

Financial planning has been overseen by consultants from Baker Tilly to ensure a responsible spending plan. The city worked with architects from Shive Hattery to design the new station, with Weigand Construction set to begin foundation work after the groundbreaking.

The existing Condit Street station will remain operational throughout construction. The city is still determining the future use of that building that will best serve the community.

The Huntington Fire Department will continue to operate its south side station on Etna Avenue during and after the project.