MONROE COUNTY, Ga. — It's almost time for High Falls firefighters to get a new home. The fire department is getting a brand-new building that was once a restaurant.
The 13-member department has been in their current space for nearly 50 years.
District Fire Chief Ralph Burris has worked at the old High Falls station for 16 years. He says it took more than a year for the building to be renovated.
“It's a big upgrade from our old station," Burris said. "It was built in the early 70's, and this station is approximately 10,000 square feet with sleeping things for everybody [and] a big day room."
Samuel Williams has been a 24-hour firefighter for two years in High Falls. He says working in a livable environment is a priority. He says the old station had water leaks and septic problems, but the new station will be more comfortable for the full-time firefighters.
“We're limited on space, limited on the area where we sleep, limited on the area we can train,” Williams said.
It'll be a place for the community, too.
“It's more accessible for the community. There's a garden there, there's many doors that they can come through and ask questions,” Williams said.
Terry Miller is the High Falls State Park Manager. He says the new station is now closer to the highway and the state park which helps the department with faster response times.
“For injuries and little incidents here at the park it was a 10-minute wait just to get somebody here. Now, with the station - it's virtually in the state park,” Miller said.
Burris says if there is a severe storm folks nearby will now be able to shelter at the new station.
The station reported that roughly $1 million worth of SPLOST funds went into the new station.
Burris says they will have a ribbon cutting for the new station on Sept. 22 from 2-5 p.m. He hopes construction will be completed by the end of this month.