Cherokee Breaks Ground on New Fire Station

ACWORTH, GA -- Cherokee County will soon open a new fire station in the southwest part of the county.

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held Tuesday for Fire Station No. 1, which will be constructed next to the current Oak Grove fire station at 6276 Bells Ferry Road.

Numerous current and former Cherokee County fire officials were on hand for the ceremony, including Joe Carmichael, the county's first paid fire chief.

Carmichael spoke of the early days of the first station when all-volunteer Oak Grove Fire Department was established on Dec. 8, 1973. The current station was built a few years later.

“I remember that we would run about 40+ calls annually,” stated Carmichael.

For some perspective, Fire Station No. 1 now runs about 4,000 calls on an annual basis.

Assistant Fire Chief Eddie Robinson said that the new 10,719-square-foot station will have three bays, a kitchen, dining room and a day room. There will also be eight oak trees planted on the property to honor those who previously worked at the Oak Grove station.

County Commission Chairman Buzz Ahrens also spoke about the steady population growth in Cherokee and how it's important leaders prepare for and adapt to that increase.

Cherokee County commissioners at their July 5 meeting awarded a bid to Headley Construction to build the facility for $2.8 million. Once construction starts, the project is expected to take 10 to 12 months, Fire Chief Tim Prather said.

Images via Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services