By Mark Rogers
The Sanford Herald
SANFORD, N.C. — As one drives into Sanford from the north on U.S. 1, the Colon Road exit is a hub of activity from new houses being built to a growing industrial park.
Now, that area of the city will be protected by a new fire station with crews manning it 24 hours a day.
Sanford’s new Station 5 was dedicated earlier this week. The station will allow the Sanford Fire Department to be more efficient when responding to emergencies, according to city officials. The location is part of Sanford City Council’s vision for “smart, strategic and sustainable growth.”
“This addition to our department will ensure our ability to accomplish our goal of rapid and effective service to our residents,” Fire Chief Matt Arnold said. “Careful thought was put into all aspects of this state-of-the-art facility to best accommodate and anticipate Sanford’s needs.”
Planning for the station began several years ago and some of those who help bring the project to fruition were honored during the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday.
Retired Sanford Fire Chief Wayne Barber was honored for his years of service, with the station being dedicated in his honor. A stone plaque was placed outside the station in his honor. Also honored was retired Deputy Fire Chief Ken Cotten, who played a key role in the station’s construction.
“What a great day in Sanford,” Cotten said. “I’m so glad it finally happened. This station has been several years in the making. Chief Wayne Barber came into my office one day and he said,’ I got a call from the city manager ( Hal Hegwer ), and he said we need to start looking for some sites for the fire station.’ ”
Cotten then explained the reason the station is called Station 5, while it is the fourth in the city. He noted that the station is close to the Deep River Volunteer Fire Department, which is Lee County’s Station 4. The city decided to reserve No. 4 for the future and named the Colon Road location Station 5 to avoid confusion.
Cotten said that he and Barber began to look at sites.
“We drove up to the site, and he said, ‘This is it,’ ” Cotten said. “It was the last one we came to — and I and Chief Barber has both grown up in this area. When I was growing up, my grandmother and I used to go across the street to the pond. This site always stood out.”
Cotten said that thanks to Kirk Bradley of Lee /Moore Investments, the city was able to purchase the land to build the facility.
“Some said it was a good place for a convenience store,” Cotten said. “But we really needed a fire station in this area, and we persuaded him to do it. We thank him for that.”
Cotten thanked all of those involved in the process for helping the project move forward.
Carter Keller, from Carolina Commercial Contractors ,spoke about his firm’s involvement in building the structure.
“What a landmark this building is for Sanford,” he said. “It’s a beautiful building and a great introduction to the city. Carolina Commercial Contractors is honored to have been a part of this project, that not only will protect our citizens but also provide resources that our firefighters not only need, but deserve.”
Mayor Rebecca Wyhof Salmon described as “a great day for Sanford .”
“We all know that public safety is the bedrock of a thriving city,” she said. “This station is a key component of the city council’s vision to plan for growth with strategic investments for today as long as well into the future.”
She thanked the fire station committee, Barber, Cotten, Arnold, ADW Architects and Central Carolina Contractors for helping make the project a reality.
“This is not only a great site for fire protection,” Salmon said. “It’s an opportunity to create a gateway to our community.”
Arnold said he was honored to be the fire chief and to represent the men and women of the Sanford Fire Department.
“They care so passionately about what they do,” he said. “This is their home for one-third of the year. The men and women of this department take great pride in their home, whether it is Station No. 5 or any of our other firehouses. They take a lot pride in what you see. They are excited to show off their new home to all of you.”
Arnold said what the people in attendance and the citizens of Sanford can see in Station 5 is a representation of many years of hard work. He reiterated his thanks to the building committee members both past and present, many of whom are retired firefighters as well as current firefighters. He then helped honor Barber for his 47-year career with SFD, including 25 as chief.
Arnold and Salmon also presented Cotten with a plaque for his work on the project, which will be placed in the station.
The ceremony closed with a prayer by Fire Department Chaplain Father Craig Lister and a ribbon-cutting involving city officials and others involved in the efforts to get the new station built.
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