The problems experienced in recent years by the Albany Fire Department and having to store trucks outside and even off-site, should come to an end in the near future with news last week that the department will in fact be getting a new home base.

Governor Steve Beshear last Wednesday announced $500,000 to support the construction and design of a new fire station in the city of Albany in Clinton County. The new facility will replace the city’s outdated fire station and will improve the fire department’s response times and training capabilities.

“There are few places more important to a community’s safety than a fire station,” said Gov. Beshear. “My administration is dedicated to protecting public safety, and this new facility in Albany will ensure that firefighters are well-prepared and able to respond to the needs of citizens as quickly as possible.”

The current Albany fire station is insufficient for the needs of the volunteer fire department, which serves more than 4,300 households in Clinton County. The department must visit multiple site locations to gather resources and equipment before responding to calls, which makes response times lengthy and inefficient. The current 4,000 square foot fire station also has inadequate office space and no areas for firefighters to complete training exercises.

The new fire station will be 6,500 square-feet and located at 93 Bobby Grant Drive in Albany, which is property currently owned by the city. This is a centralized location, adjacent to the existing Emergency Management Facility and the County Air Evacuation Landing Pad. The plan for the new station includes two large truck bays, an equipment storage room, a kitchen, meeting and training rooms, restrooms, and a mechanical room.

The $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to the city of Albany will supplement a $100,000 investment by the city. Upon completion of the facility, the city will own, operate, and maintain the new fire station.

“I am very pleased that this funding will address the critical need for a new fire station,” said Sen. Sara Beth Gregory. “It is extremely important that our volunteer firefighters have the facilities they need to continue providing fire protection to the citizens of Clinton County.”

“This announcement is great news not only for the Albany Fire Department but the citizens they serve,” said Rep. Jeff Hoover. “The new fire station will serve both as a sense of pride for members of the fire department and the city, but also provide a higher level of quality in protecting and saving the lives firefighters serve.”

“I am so appreciative to Governor Beshear and his staff for their assistance in providing this grant to our local fire department,” said Albany Mayor Nicky Smith. “We have a highly dedicated department and they deserve the very best facility. Our community is certain to benefit from this new fire station for many years to come.”

The state’s CDBG program is administered by DLG (Department of Local Government) and funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Kentucky’s Congressional leaders’ ongoing support of the CDBG program ensures the availability of continued funding in Kentucky and nationally.

Now a vacant lot between the Clinton Emergency Services Building and AirEvac hanger at left, and the Twin Lakes Wellness Center at far right, will tentatively become home to a new fire station for the Albany Fire Department. The city has received a $500,000 grant that was announced last week to help fund the new facility.