New station opening as part of Wilmington fire consolidation

WILMINGTON, NC (AP) — A new fire station is opening in Wilmington this week as part of a citywide fire department consolidation that is expected to save money and streamline the department’s emergency response.

Media outlets report an open house for the new fire station on Cinema Drive is set for Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. The new $3.4 million station consolidates two existing fire stations.

The new building will have four fire engine bays whereas most of the city’s existing stations have only two or three. Work begins early next year on another new fire station that will also consolidate two existing stations.

When the project is complete, the reorganized department will have nine stations instead of 11. The consolidations are expected to save the department millions in operating expenses.

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