NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- The City of North Myrtle Beach is thrilled to announce the forthcoming establishment of Fire Station 7, a pivotal step in the City's commitment to proactive planning and enhanced public safety.
Mayor Hatley expressed, "Our City's future hinges on strategic planning and readiness for expansion. Fire Station 7 is a testament to our dedication to fostering growth while ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents and visitors."
Situated strategically on a 6.7 acre-site off Water Tower Road on Hunt Club Road (behind the existing UPS Facility), the new fire and police station will allow the City to expand its footprint on increasing coverage to newer residential communities, the commercia/industrial occupancies, as well as decrease response times to incidents on the areas of Carolina Bays Parkway covered by the City.
The City currently operates 5 Fire Stations throughout the City. Fire Station 7, once in service, will be staffed with a Fire Engine, Ladder Truck, and Battalion Chief. This will bring the daily staffing Citywide across all 6 staffed Fire Stations to 6-Fire Engines and 2-Ladder Trucks.
In conjunction with this development, the North Myrtle Beach Police Department has secured a grant to recruit 5 more police officers in 2024 and 8 new police officers in 2025, reinforcing the City's commitment to comprehensive safety measures.
Mayor Hatley emphasized the significance of Fire Station 7 in light of the Palmetto Coast Industrial Park and upcoming housing developments. "This expansion will not only mitigate insurance costs for residents in the area but also ensure prompt response times for communities surrounding Water Tower Road, thus elevating fire protection standards and overall safety," stated Mayor Hatley.
Fire Chief Billy Floyd stated, “The addition of this station, along with additional apparatus and firefighters to staff it, will be a significant benefit for the City as a whole.” He reiterated, “The Fire Department’s Mission Statement is, ‘North Myrtle Beach Fire Department is dedicated to saving lives, protecting property and making our community a safer place to live and visit.’ Moving forward with the Fire Station 7 project is a testament to the dedication that City Council and City Administration have in that mission statement.”
With a dedicated budget of $10 million spanning the current and upcoming fiscal years, the city is poised to embark on the construction of the new fire and police station. Funding has been secured, and design plans are swiftly progressing. Following approval by the City Council, the project will proceed to the bidding phase.