Consultant recommends four new fire stations over next two decades to improve 8‑minute response targets

A public‑safety analysis presented during the Citrus County strategic planning retreat concluded the county will need multiple additional fire stations over the next 20 years to improve response times and equalize station workloads.

The consultant said their three‑year call analysis pointed to uneven demand: Stations 3, 20 and 23 together answered about 45% of calls in the period studied, suggesting some stations are overloaded. “It was the data... we let the data do the talking,” the presenter said, summarizing why the team recommends four new facilities staged through 2030–2045.

Timeline and sequencing: the study recommends adding two stations by 2030 (Lecanto and Central Ridge) to address heavy call volumes, another station by 2035, and a near‑certain fourth by 2045 if growth proceeds as modeled. The consultant emphasized that some proposed sites are already county‑owned and that co‑locating parks and stations could reduce land‑acquisition costs.

Operational issues raised: commissioners and fire leadership discussed the footprint and ownership of existing volunteer stations. Commissioner Barrack noted the Beverly Hills volunteer station was unusable; the chief explained the county previously leased that building from the volunteer fire board. The planned airport station is a relocation of the Highlands station, and equipment/personnel would transfer there when built.

What it means for budgeting and staffing: adding stations implies capital, apparatus and recurring personnel costs. The chief and staff said a DRI requirement (Tuscany) anticipates a two‑bay station in Central Ridge but noted the county will likely need to fund a third bay and staffing to meet future demands.

Provenance: presentation began SEG 1572 and discussion continued through SEG 1798.