Renovated Fire Station 25 To Serve As Medical Emergency Rescue Station

TAMPA, FL —Firefighters with Tampa Fire Rescue are settling into their new digs while Sulfphur Springs and surrounding residents enjoy some added peace of mind with the opening of Fire Station 45, an exclusive "rescue station."

In September, the Tampa City Council approved around $3.4 million to renovate Fire Station 25 and add four additional personnel and two new rescue units.

Fire Station 25 will operate solely as a rescue station, which means trained firefighter-paramedics assigned there will respond to medical calls and other emergencies. These rescue units are especially critical for this area where 90 percent of the calls are for emergency medical services.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said the new rescue station will play a pivotal role in easing the burden on nearby fire stations.

"In an emergency, every second matters," Castor said. "This new station will allow us to continue to shorten our response times in a fast-growing area of Tampa."

The opening of Fire Station 25 will specifically help support Fire Station 13, one of the busiest fire stations in the country.

“We are excited for the opening of Station 25, a much-needed addition for our citizens,” Fire Chief Barbara Tripp said. “To ensure Tampa has America’s best fire rescue department, we are improving service to meet our community’s needs."

“For too long, the men and women of Fire Station 13 have carried a disproportionately heavy burden of service calls," said Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera, who serves North Tampa."This station will go a long way to providing much-needed relief to the firefighters working in North Tampa and the residents they serve. I thank Mayor Castor and Chief Tripp for their collaboration and leadership in making these critical improvements in public safety.”

"Residents living in Sulphur Springs are thrilled to have this new fire station in their neighborhood," said Tampa City Councilman Orlando Gudes. "We thank the brave men and women of Tampa Fire Rescue for protecting this great community."

Located at 710 E. Fairbanks St., Fire Station 25 is at the site of the old Fire Station 11.

Prior to renovations, the Tampa Police Department’s K-9 Unit used the building for training.

The renovation of Fire Station 25 was paid for in part with federal American Rescue Plan Act money, supported by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa.