At the recommendation of state and local officials, the Ocean City Fire Department station at 29th Street and West Avenue will close by April 15 with the building to be demolished prior to Memorial Day Weekend.
There will be no interruption in protection and service to residents and guests as firefighters will operate from a temporary station in the same part of Ocean City.
The city will use money from a $1.5 million pool of post-Sandy capital ordinances and reimbursements to build a new structure with a ground floor that will house the same apparatus and equipment as the old firehouse. A second floor will include a new living area for the firefighters stationed there. The city continues to negotiate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on a reimbursement for this work at the facility damaged by Superstorm Sandy.
The construction represents the final phase of a project that began in 2014 with the award of an original design contract. The process was delayed when construction bids came back at a level that would be irresponsible to taxpayers.
As always, dial 911 for emergencies and 609-525-9182 for non-emergency calls to the department during this project.
