The Town of Queen Creek recently broke ground on Fire Station 4, a new station in the northeast area of town on Signal Butte Road, just north of Queen Creek Road.

The addition of Fire Station 4 is a significant step towards the Fire Master Plan, which identifies five fire stations in Queen Creek, according to a press release.

It also supports the town’s goal of ensuring a safe community, identified as one of five goals in the Queen Creek Corporate Strategic Plan.

“As a community, we are very excited about this project,” Queen Creek Mayor Gail Barney said during a groundbreaking ceremony held on Sept. 25.

“As a Council, we are committed to safety, strategic growth and fiscally sound decisions; this is a project that is in line with each of those important commitments, and I am honored to be a part of Fire Station 4.”

Queen Creek’s population has grown from less than 26,000 when the Queen Creek Fire and Medical Department was formed to more than 52,000 today. Fire Station 4 is strategically located in the northeast area of Town, which is expanding.

“Today is an exciting day as we expand our public safety services,” Queen Creek Fire and Medical Department Chief Vance Gray said in a prepared statement.

“This new fire station is not only progress in the area of public safety, it touches upon all of our strategic goals, from enhancing the quality of life in Queen Creek and ensuring a secure future for current and future residents, Fire Station 4 will have a continued positive impact on this community.”

The new fire station will be built to current standards, designed to complement the surrounding area. It includes three bays, similar to Fire Station 1, a release states.

The station will initially house one crew, but is being built with the capacity to expand to meet future needs. Fire Station 4 will also include a law enforcement substation to further enhance access to the northeast area of town.

Perlman Architects designed the station with FCI, Constructors completing the construction. The station is anticipated to open in the fall of 2020.

QCFMD offers four other stations throughout the community:

• Fire Station 1 --- 20678 E. Civic Parkway
• Fire Station 2 --- 24787 S. Sossaman Road
• Fire Station 3 --- 19159 E. Queen Creek Road
• Fire Station 5 --- 980 W. Combs Road

Fire Station 5 is an interim station, with the permanent site on Combs Road, west of Gantzel Road. The three-acre site was purchased last month from Banner Medical.