Emergency vehicle storage facility considered in NK

New Kent supervisors unanimously approved a request made by emergency personnel to seek proposals for a vehicle storage facility at New Kent’s Courthouse.

A 15-minute presentation by Sheriff F. W. “Wakie” Howard Jr., fire chief Rick Opett, and chief deputy Joe McLaughlin Jr. at Wednesday morning’s work session highlighted the number of incidents responded to within the half-mile radius shared by three county schools, as well as the courthouse complex.

“Over the last year, deputies responded to 1,200 calls and fire/EMS responded to 100 calls in the courthouse area,” said Howard. “During the peak months of September to June when kids are back in school, we can have more than 3,000 people within that half-mile vicinity at one time.”

Opett chimed in, speaking about the response time it takes to get from the closest stations to the courthouse area.

“From either the Eltham or Providence Forge stations, it can take us anywhere from 10 to 13 minutes,” the chief said. “I believe if we have a storage facility for emergency vehicles, we would see better results.”

“The facility wouldn’t be anything fancy,” chimed in McLaughlin. “A 50 by 60 metal building with minimum HVAC to keep equipment from freezing and minimum electric lighting will work for us.”

The idea met approval from supervisors, as chairman Ray Davis spoke on future possibilities.

“I know we’ve been talking about having Bridging Communities (Career and Technical Center) possibly starting a fire and EMS program,” Davis said. “This gives them the possibility of having an onsite facility to work with.

“We can also have someone in our building cross-train to learn how to drive an emergency vehicle,” he concluded.