Hillsborough County will soon see progress in the form of concrete and steel rising from the earth, as the Fire Rescue department breaks ground on Fire Station No. 48. The event, as reported by Hillsborough County Newsroom, is scheduled to take place at 1 p.m. tomorrow at 7412 South 78th St., Riverview, which will serve South Progress Village.
In an area that has seen not only residential but also industrial business growth, this addition is a response to the emergent needs of a thriving community. To make sure to provide for this expansion, the County conducted a land exchange with Mosaic, acquiring the property necessary for the station. With a design featuring two bays, the station will house a fire engine and rescue ambulance, ensuring at least five full-time firefighters are ready every shift, as per the information obtained by the county’s news update.
This initiative is part of a plan to build 20 new stations over the next couple of decades, a testament to the region's growth and commitment to public safety. Projected for completion in October 2026, Fire Station No. 48 will join its predecessor, Fire Station No. 47 in Ruskin, in providing enhanced protection and improved response times for residents and businesses in Hillsborough County.
Equipped with state-of-the-art resources, the new station will also prioritize the well-being of its firefighters. It will include a decontamination area with showers and a laundry room to help remove carcinogens, which is crucial to decreasing cancer risks associated with fighting modern fires. Moreover, an upgraded station alerting alarm system will be installed to gradually increase alert sounds, an approach designed to safeguard the physical and mental well-being of firefighters, all according to the county’s news release.
With Hillsborough County Fire Rescue responding to an estimated 140,000 emergency calls annually, the hope is that Station No. 48 will lessen the load, providing swift, efficient service in emergencies.
