Orlando Standard

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, District 2 City Commissioner Tony Ortiz, and Fire Chief Charlie Salazar broke ground on the new Orlando Fire Department Station 6. The event, held on August 7, 2024, marks the beginning of construction for the 15,913-square-foot facility.

The new station will be centrally located to better serve surrounding businesses and residential neighborhoods. It will replace the current Fire Station 6 on East Robinson Street and is expected to be completed by fall 2025. This project is part of the city's neighborhood infrastructure improvements aimed at accommodating the area's growing population.

Station 6 will house 36 firefighters and include four bays and three fire apparatus: an Engine, a Tower Truck, and a Rescue. The facility is designed with firefighter health and safety in mind. Features include gradual emergency tones to reduce heart-rate response, a decontamination room with a shower and airlocks to keep carcinogens out of living quarters, individual sleeping quarters with acoustic separation for rest, a lactation room for nursing mothers, a gymnasium for maintaining fitness, outdoor training spaces for fire tactics practice, and open kitchens and dining rooms to foster camaraderie.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place at Orlando Fire Station 6 located at 501 Herndon Ave. Media parking was available near Herndon Avenue and Showalter Aviation Street.

Established in 1885 as a volunteer group serving Orlando's then-population of 1,666 citizens, the Orlando Fire Department has grown to encompass over 600 members who annually serve millions of visitors and residents. The department is rated in the top one percent of U.S. fire departments and holds multiple accreditations including ISO 1 classification, International Fire Accreditation, Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) certification, Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS), and ACE accreditation (911/Communications Center).

For media inquiries or further information about the event or the Orlando Fire Department's history and services:

Ashley Papagni

Public Information Officer

Email: ashley.papagni@orlando.gov

Phone: 407-246-4275

City Hall

400 South Orange Avenue

Orlando, Florida 32801

Phone: 407-246-2121

Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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