Model for future fire stations

Town's new facility lowers response time

The Avery J. Lord Fire Station in Summerville has been open since January, and by all accounts the facility off Sheep Island Road is serving its purpose.

The 10-bed fire station, between a large commercial area and a new 300-home subdivision, was built to improve fire protection on Summerville's growing northeast end near Interstate 26.

Construction of the fire station saw a few delays and was not opened as scheduled by the end of 2007. Kinks were worked out and the station's staff, which includes six firefighters, are pleased with the results.

The town did not hire new firefighters but transferred six from another station, which helped make the transition to a new building easier.

"We all get along," Summerville Fire Capt. Terry Keefer said.

The station is a modern facility that boasts a spacious kitchen and living room area and large conference room. Keefer said the new digs are a step up from the older stations.

In March, town officials celebrated the dedication of the facility to Avery J. Lord, a former police dispatcher, fire inspector, town code enforcement officer and fire chief (1997-99).

Since the opening, firefighters at the new station and throughout Summerville have been busy, Chief Marc Melfi said.

"Pool tables and card games are a thing of the past," he said.

The new station "has helped take the burden off the main station (at 300 West 2nd North Street)," Battalion Chief Rodney W. Profit said. "It has helped tremendously in reducing response time."

Traffic problems in Summerville made it increasingly difficult for firetrucks to move from place to place, but "now they are right around the corner with pretty good access to whatever they need to get to," Profit said.

The station's firefighters "have run their fair share of calls," he said. "It's a good mix of medical calls to automobile accidents, and a couple of structure fires. ... Most of the homes are new homes, so heater issues aren't as big a deal. Mostly cooking-related fires."

Outside of responding to calls, firefighters spend much of their time learning the latest methods in fighting fires and teaching fire prevention to elementary and middle school students in Summerville.

Melfi, who has been with the department for 26 years, has witnessed many changes. He still remembers the days of only six paid fire employees in Summerville's entire fire department.

The town's fire department now has 87 employees. Melfi said the new fire station is a testament to the growth occurring in Summerville.

"Summerville Fire Department has never stopped growing," he said. "It's always gone forward."

Melfi said Summerville has at least two more stations planned — one for the Knightsville community and one for the Limehouse development off Dorchester Road — to serve the area's growing population.

Profit said the new station is "well-designed and very efficient." The city likely will use the design of the Avery J. Lord building for future fire stations.

Reach Jasiri Whipper at 937-5540 or jwhipper@postandcourier.com.

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