ABBEVILLE | RICKEY STOKES NEWS
Construction is underway on a new public emergency response facility that will house the Abbeville Police Department, Abbeville Fire and Rescue and Abbeville EMS under one roof.
Abbeville Mayor Jimmy Money said the project has been in the works for several years and will serve the community for decades to come.
“We’ve been working on this facility for six years,” Money said. “This is a dream come true for our city. This is where we are, and this is what we’re doing. It’ll last a long time when we finish. It’ll be great. It’ll be good for the county and the city.”
Officials say Abbeville Fire and Rescue has outgrown its current station, and the existing EMS space cannot accommodate all staff members.
Abbeville EMS Director Laura Feggins said the department currently runs two 24-hour crews but does not have the space to house everyone on shift.
“Right now we run two crews 24 hours a day, so we’re unable to house all of our employees,” Feggins said. “We don’t have enough bedrooms, enough showers.”
The new facility will provide additional space for personnel and equipment as the departments continue to expand, including plans to add more fire trucks and ambulances.
Plans for the building also include a dedicated training area for first responders. Feggins said the additional space will allow EMS personnel to stay up to date as emergency medical practices continue to evolve.
“EMS is always changing,” Feggins said. “Having a bigger facility means that we have a larger training area and better equipment to meet our needs.”
City leaders also incorporated a storm shelter into the design to provide a safe place for residents during severe weather.
“We all need a place to go in time of trouble,” Money said. “One of the things we’re all trying to do is plan for tomorrow and not just today.”
Mayor Money said construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
