FAQs | New Fire Stations | Sanford Connects

I thought we voted NO on a new fire station?

In 2019, Sanford and Springvale residents voted against a $1 million bond to purchase an undisclosed piece of land for a new fire station. The 2019 vote was not for the construction of a new fire station.
The recent purchase of the Springvale Nursery property was paid for with COVID “ARPA” federal funds. The bonding process for the new fire station investment will go before the community on a future ballot, scheduled for the November 2024 election.

What's wrong with the current stations?

Both stations, aged over 50 and 100 years respectively, have exceeded their intended lifespans.
The current stations are not ideally located, potentially affecting insurance rates and response times.
Built during a time when equipment was smaller, some modern vehicles do not fit in the current bays.
The stations were constructed before modern safety standards, codes, and practices were established.
They are too small to be fully functional, even with renovation, and cannot accommodate facilities meeting modern requirements.
Lack of space for separate decontamination zones or wash-down areas poses a health risk to firefighters.
Firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE) is currently bagged at the fire scene after use and sent for decontamination due to the absence of facilities at the current stations; the new facilities will have space for decontamination, eliminating this cost.

Why can't we just retrofit the stations we have now?

The existing stations, aged over 50 and 100 years respectively, are reaching the end of their useful lives.
Retrofitting alone cannot bring the stations up to a standard ensuring safety for our firefighters or meeting all current station requirements.
The stations are too small to be fully functional even with retrofitting and lack space for facilities meeting modern fire department needs.
The cost of retrofitting would be significant. Given the age of the buildings, these funds could be better invested in new facilities built to modern standards.
Both stations occupy properties too small to accommodate a newly-constructed modern station adequately serving the community.
The Sanford and Springvale stations are not in proper locations to maintain low ISO ratings and homeowners' insurance premiums.

Why can't the South Sanford Station be opened back up?

Over 30 years old, the station has surpassed its intended lifespan.
An independent professional analysis showed that transitioning to a 2-station model will decrease long-term costs for taxpayers and increase responsiveness.
To reopen the South Station and return to a 3-station model, the Sanford Fire Department would need to employ at least 20 new firefighters and EMS personnel.
The South Station's size only accommodates 2 on-duty firefighters, whereas 3 are required for a call. A truck from Central Station was necessary for EVERY South Station call.

What's happening to the Springvale Station?

The plan is to construct two new modern facilities in well-placed locations to optimally serve the community in terms of economics, efficiency, and effectiveness. Consequently, the Springvale Station must relocate.
The City of Sanford recently signed a lease-purchase agreement for a second property at 10 Payne Street (Notre Dame Church) to construct a fire station.
Collaboratively, the City of Sanford and the Roman Catholic Diocese are preparing the property for demolition in approximately a year.