Sept. 6, 2007
Contact: Patty Jo Angelini, Fire Department Public Education
Officer, (480) 312-1815 or Mike Phillips, Media Relations
Manager, (480) 312-7825
Second open house added to discuss proposed fire station site at Cactus/96th St.
A second open house has been added so neighbors can share their thoughts about a proposed fire station site at 96th Street and Cactus Road.
The two open houses, hosted by the Scottsdale Fire Department, are:
- From 5:30 to 7 p.m. this evening, Sept. 6, at the Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda, just east of Scottsdale Ranch Park.
- 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Horizon Community Center, 15444 N. 100th St., on the corner of Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and 100th Street.
New station locations are critical to meet the Fire Department’s goal to arrive at emergencies in 4 minutes or less 80 percent of the time. Currently, the area to be served by the proposed station is averaging response times of 8 to 9 minutes 80 percent of the time. The area is roughly bounded by the CAP Canal, Raintree Drive, the Pima Freeway, and Cholla Street.
Most of the area is developed, and parcels suitable for fire stations are extremely limited. The department is moving quickly to assess neighborhood support before requesting approval of the purchase of a two-acre site by the City Council.
The purchase is set to be considered by the Council at a meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 18, at City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
The Cactus Road /96th Street land is located on a major road that has good access to the homes and businesses needing improved response times. The Fire Department estimates that locating a station in the area would mean firefighters each year could respond to 1,600 additional calls for help within the 4-minute goal. The department also will be able to provide faster service to 18 public and private schools located in the area and the more than 600 businesses which are considered medium- to high-risk for emergency calls. Traffic from the station should be negligible.
Receiving approval for the purchase of a site is the first of several steps that must be completed before a station is built on the property.
Residents can learn more details about the proposal by visiting www.ScottsdaleFD.com and linking to “SFD Plans for the Future.” A question-and-answer page on Station 8 is available. Residents can also sign up for an e-mail bulletin on Station 8, or e-mail comments to pangelini@ScottsdaleAZ.gov.