By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

All equipment from the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department’s South Station has been relocated to the community’s Public Works building as construction on the new facility nears.

A press release issued by the Ocean Pines Association last week indicated that firefighting devices stored in the soon-to-be-replaced firehouse at 911 Ocean Parkway have been moved to OPA’s Public Works space, 1 Firehouse Lane. The rearrangement comes just as construction teams prepare to break ground on the project to rebuild the outdated and deteriorating South Station firehouse.

Officials said the decision to transfer fire equipment to OPA’s Public Works was to guarantee that emergency response times are not compromised. The site of the current South Station and the Public Works building are a mere two minutes apart, ensuring that fire personnel’s actions remain speedy in urgent situations.

“Public Works is happy to accommodate the fire department during the construction of their new building,” said Public Works Director Eddie Wells in the announcement. “We had to make some adjustments, but this move will allow the fire department to maintain the same emergency response times for the south side of Ocean Pines.”

Joe Enste, OPVFD’s president, echoed Wells’ sentiment.

“Through our partnership with the Public Works Division, we can continue providing uninterrupted, centralized service to this great community and the citizens we are honored to serve,” he said.

At a board meeting in January, the OPA Board of Directors unanimously approved the construction contract with Delaware-based The Whayland Company. The vote was unanimous, with director Stuart Lakernick absent. Development will kick off later this month, and the initiative is expected to take about 60 weeks.

The project will see the complete remodel of the current firehouse. Officials have said that the revamp is vital to maintaining quality service within Ocean Pines and has long been a priority for the OPVFD, with initial plans for the construction project dating back to 2001.

The South Station was built in 1981, with a few additions made all before 1990. Since then, the only modifications to the facility have been minor, such as painting. The building has struggled with drainage issues, mold concerns, and leaks. Additionally, the space is insufficient to accommodate modern firefighting requirements.

The project will cost about $6 million. Per a referendum passed during last summer’s Ocean Pines Board of Directors’ election, the association is responsible for up to $3.4 million. The fire department will pay the rest. Enste said at a June public hearing that the OPVFD has secured $1.7 million in grants and bonds, plus an additional $750,000 from fundraising and savings, to be allocated to the new building.

An official groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for later this month to celebrate the new fire station. Details and a date are still to be determined.

OPA General Manager John Viola expressed his excitement for the project in the press release and acknowledged the community members who made it happen.

“This new fire station on the south side of Ocean Pines is much needed, and I’m proud of the team and the hard work they put into making this a reality,” he said.