BRANSON, Mo., 5/25/2023 – With the sounds of bells and sirens marking the official groundbreaking for Branson’s soon-to-be Fire Station #4, community leaders, emergency responders, elected officials and private citizens cheered the digging of the first bucket of dirt today during an official ceremony. The event is long-awaited, as citizens and officials have worked toward making this station a reality for nearly two decades. The project was designated as a top priority and placed on a fast track agenda by Branson’s current City administration. Fire Station #4 site is in Branson’s Ward 3 on Champagne Boulevard.
“Fire Station #4 will be important to reducing fire and emergency response times throughout Branson,” said Chief Ted Martin who has served as Branson Fire Chief since 2012 and expresses appreciation for this new station now underway. “While Fire Station #4 is located in southwest Branson, the addition of another complete station, equipped with manpower, resources and emergency vehicles, will enhance our current services that already excel in fire rescue operations, risk reduction and emergency preparedness,” said Martin.
Each of Branson’s three existing Fire Stations includes a fire captain, an engineer and two firefighters staffing two fire engines and a ladder truck 24 hours a day. The fire department has a total of 48 personnel within the Administration, Operations, Training / Safety, Technical Services and Emergency Management Divisions.
“With this exciting kick-off, we are showing how Branson leadership is proving the commitment to moving at the speed of business, not the speed of government,” said Branson Mayor Larry Milton. “Throughout the City there is terrific progress on many big projects that will boost this community for decades to come,” said Milton.
BACKGROUND:
- The new Fire Station has a total projected budget of $5 million, to be funded from the half-cent Public Safety Sales Tax Branson residents passed in 2017. (Background: At the May 9, 2023, Board of Aldermen meeting, the Board passed an ordinance accepting a bid from Construct Companies, LLC for $4,059,673.77. The board previously approved a design contract with Hoefer Welker, LLC for $505,500.) For more information on this, and other capital projects, visit the new Capital Projects Tracker, a new online tool that allows citizens to follow dozens of City projects in real time. You can find it by clicking on the green “Capital Project Tracker” tab at the bottom of our website, BransonMo.Gov.
- Branson’s Fire Department was organized in 1912, shortly after the incorporation of the City. While originally it was largely a volunteer force, in 1993 the first career firefighters were hired to serve the community.
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