Breaking Ground on the New Fire & EMS Headquarters

The City of Sanford officially broke ground on its new Fire & EMS Headquarters on March 31, 2026, marking the start of construction on the first of two new fire stations approved by voters in the November 2024 referendum. The new Headquarters in Sanford and the Springvale Substation will replace the City’s existing fire structures, which are 60 and 100 years old and can no longer meet modern safety, health, or accessibility standards.

The 37,770-square-foot Headquarters is estimated to cost $17.2 million and represents a major investment in the future of Sanford’s public safety infrastructure. The project is the result of more than a decade of study, planning, and community engagement aimed at ensuring the City’s fire and emergency medical services can meet current and future demands. As the Sanford community grows, so does the demand for fire and medical services. The department responded to more than 4,500 incidents in 2025 alone.

“This project reflects a decision, made carefully, deliberately, and with the support of this community, to invest in the future of public safety in Sanford,” said City Manager Steven Buck. “From the beginning, we committed to doing this the right way, guided by data, professional evaluation, and long-term planning. Today’s groundbreaking represents the outcome of that work and the strong partnerships that made it possible.”

Deputy Mayor Maura Herlihy acknowledged the essential role of Sanford residents in making the project possible. “The key to this project’s success is our Sanford citizens. Their support and trust made it possible for us to move forward with these new fire and EMS facilities, ensuring the safety of our community for decades to come,” said Herlihy.

Designed with efficiency, safety, and long-term service in mind, the new Headquarters will include five drive-through apparatus bays, advanced exhaust removal systems, and dedicated decontamination areas, a communications center, expanded training space, gear and equipment storage, and modern equitable living quarters.

Fire Chief Scott Susi highlighted the importance of designing stations to protect the staff who call them home. “Our firefighters face risks beyond flames and patient exposures,” he said. “They have a 9% higher risk of cancer and are 22% more likely to contract infectious diseases than the general public. Contaminants from fires travel back to the station on gear, tools, and skin. These stations are not just buildings; they are an investment in our future and a symbol of the community’s commitment to those who serve.”

The new stations use a “Traffic Light” three-zone system to minimize exposure: Hot Zones (apparatus bays and decontamination rooms) remove cancer-causing toxins from gear; Warm Zones (locker rooms and showers) act as a filter before personnel enter living areas; and Cold Zones (bunk rooms, kitchens, offices) maintain clean air for rest and recovery. “Our old stations cannot be retrofitted effectively,” Susi added. “When our current stations were built, the need for this separation of zones was not recognized. These new facilities are specifically designed to maximize safety and support the physical and mental health of our first responders.”

Once complete, the station will meet current NFPA and OSHA standards, improve emergency response times, enhance training opportunities, and support regional mutual aid and community paramedicine initiatives.

The City was also awarded $5 million in Congressionally Directed Spending, federal funds secured through the leadership and advocacy of U.S. Senator Susan M. Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony.

“The City is extremely grateful to Senator Collins for her leadership and support, which were instrumental in helping offset project costs and advancing this critical investment in public safety. We also thank her for joining us as we mark the groundbreaking of the first of two new stations,” said City Manager Steve Buck.

Construction of the Headquarters station marks the first phase of Sanford’s broader plan to modernize its fire and EMS facilities, with the Springvale Substation to follow after the competition of the Headquarters building, which is anticipated by Summer 2027.

Click to View a Recording of the Full Groundbreaking Event on WSSRTV.