City of Clinton Opens New Fire Station – Storm shelter, charging stations and lower fire ratings to benefit residents

Clinton’s new Fire Station 4 which went into service on December 26, 2017 houses more than just trucks and personnel. Within the walls of the new station are several features that take the community’s pre and post disaster needs into consideration.

Fire Station 4 located at 1973 Pinehaven Road, will serve the Pinehaven, Arrow Drive, Williamson and Kickapoo Road areas that were annexed in 2007.

According to Mayor Phil Fisher, “the city took the steps to add the city’s first community storm shelter and safe room for residents living in vulnerable structures.”

Included in the facility is a new community safe room that will hold 75 people for utilization by residents during severe weather and a generator to run the entire building during extended power outages.

The Severe weather safe room will be open during tornado watches or warnings, and will remain open until the severe weather has abated and the National Weather Service has canceled the warnings and watches or if they have expired.

The community safe room is reinforced with steel and concrete walls/ceilings, as well as steel doors to protect against debris projectiles.

The safe room is intended to provide protection during short-term extreme wind event such as a tornado. According to FEMA, the average maximum stay is approximately two hours.

When severe weather is anticipated, Fire Station 4 personnel are alerted and know to be on the lookout. City leaders receive regular updates from local emergency management officials if or when a potential need for shelter arises.

Added to the facility for times of disaster and extended power outages are electrical outlets for use by residents needing to charge medical devices and equipment during power outages.

Those who rely on electricity to operate necessary medical equipment should make arrangements now to ensure their safety in the event of a loss of power.   Following a disaster or during prolonged power outages, people with medical devices in need of charging can visit Fire Station 4. Fire Station 4 is equipped with an emergency generator and extra power outlets to allow residents with medical devices the safe place to charge their critical devices.

City leaders also hope the station will result in a third benefit for residents in the form of a lower fire rating. With the addition of the new station and truck, as well as ten new personnel to staff the station, Clinton’s Fire Officials anticipate shorter response times across the city from all four stations.

“With the fourth station, the service areas of each station are smaller, resulting in more personnel to cover a smaller areas of town. In early 2018, we will be meeting with the state Fire Ratings Bureau to seek a lowering of the city’s fire rating which should result in lower insurance rates for all Clinton residents,” stated Fire Chief Jeff Blackledge.

Completion of the new station along with placement of water lines for hydrants in 2015/16 and the new Clinton Arrow themed fire truck fulfill the court ordered mandates regarding annexation of areas north and northwest of the city in 2007.

“Completion of Fire Station 4 is the final piece of compliance to the annexation court order, provides a safer city and positions our city for future growth along the ever expanding Pinehaven corridor,” stated Mayor Phil Fisher.

Residents traveling Pinehaven Road are also reminded to be alert for trucks entering and leaving the station. Warning signs have been placed several hundred feet north and south of the station to warn motorists of fire trucks entering and exiting the station. When a truck is exiting the building, flashing lights will alert motorists to the presence of the truck.

For more information about the services at Fire Station 4, please visit www.ClintonMS.org.