COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — Caroline Martino lives near North Collier Fire Station 40 on Pine Ridge Road near Goodlette-Frank Road. She said it's an ideal location for first responders, with easy access to two major roads.
But when the fire district announced plans to eventually move to a bigger facility, she was worried about what that might mean for emergency response times.
"I was really concerned about adding another two and half to three minutes, had they moved down the road," Martino said.
Tuesday, Martino and several other residents spoke to county commissioners, urging them to buy Station 40 for Collier Emergency Medical Services so that ambulance crews could work from there.
Commissioners agreed, saying that the approximately $1.2 million to puy the station for EMS is worth the cost.
"When we're spending on emergency medical services, I think we can be a little bit liberal on how we deal with that in order to protect the public," said Commissioner Burt Saunders.
"I'm incredibly relieved (EMS) is staying where they are," Martino said. "I was hoping fire would be able to stay there as well."
North Collier Fire officials have said that Station 40 is too small for the trucks and other equipment they need to house there. The fire district is looking at several parcels of land on which to build a new fire station.
