On May 24, at 4:30 p.m., the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors and the volunteers of the Riner Fire Department are holding a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Riner Fire Station located at 3595 Riner Road.
"The new Riner Fire Station is one of the projects in our County's strategic long-term plan," said Montgomery County Board of Supervisors Chair Chris Tuck. "The Riner area is growing and it's necessary that we plan accordingly."
The new 19,148-square-foot station will house all fire apparatus, include a work room for equipment, training and meeting space, as well as offices for each line officer. Currently, the Chief and eight other officers share an office space that is approximately 400 square feet. In addition, the new station will have a positive pressure turnout gear room and a decontamination room.
"The dedicated men and women who volunteer in Riner need an expanded space for training and equipment. It's both exciting and necessary for us to move forward with the new Riner Fire Station," said Vice Chair April DeMotts.
The Riner Fire Department, which was founded in 1957, currently has 35 volunteers and the existing fire station is approximately 9,150 square feet.
"Our fire and rescue volunteers put their lives on the line for the citizens in our community every day," said Montgomery County Supervisor Todd King. "The least we can do for these dedicated volunteers is create a space for them so they can better do their jobs."
The new state-of-the-art Riner Fire Station will be completed by spring 2019.
"We have greatly exceeded capacity at the current station," said Riner Fire Chief Jerry Saul. "This new building will meet our growing needs and allow us to better serve the Riner community."