A new fire station in rural Jasper County will boost response times.
Beech Grove Fire Chief James Gunter says it takes 10 or more minutes to reach certain areas from the existing station.
“In rural Jasper County, where forest fires are prevalent, an additional fire station in the northern area of the county is more than necessary. About 60% of our calls are in that direction. So it's obvious that we need that station there. And again, it's all about timeliness," he told 12 news now.
He explained that voters passed a sales and use tax which generated funds to build the station.
To offset expenses, members of the all-volunteer fire company are doing a lot of the work. But they do have a contractor, who has a close tie.
“I was born and raised here, just down the road from where the Beech Grove station is now. It kind of goes back to my roots, because I was born and raised here in the same community that I'm helping build these stations in," said Charles Duckworth, president of Newton County ESD #6 and owner of Ducks Construction.
Gunter said the support of the community is overwhelming and appreciated.
