The Eagle Springs Fire Department is making strides to accommodate community growth with a $2.1 million renovation and addition. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday with local dignitaries.
Fire Chief Mike St. Onge began working on the vision of adding a Moore County ambulance to their department before the COVID pandemic. St. Onge started working with former N.C. Rep. Jamie Boles of an EMS unit to be housed at the volunteer department.
Currently, the closest EMS units are coming from Robbins or Seven Lakes. Eagle Springs Fire Department currently covers 65 square miles. Like most of Moore County, the community has seen a rise in new homes, and Samarcand Training Academy is continually growing. With an EMS unit means the department has to house paramedics around the clock, and the current building does not have the space.
St. Onge spoke on filling the needs of the community.
“There’s nothing in the Eagles Springs community like a community center,” said St. Onge. “We need a place where the general public can come whether it’s for an election, or a church meeting, or some type of civic event, or anything that the community would like to use it for, and we can use it for their benefit.”
The community relies on volunteers now. The expansion would give adequate space to house 24-hour firefighters in the future.
“We have seen over the years the fall in volunteer help with fire departments. And, so, what this will allow for us is to house firefighters here 24 hours a day,” St. Onge said.
The department received $300,000 for the project from the state before COVID with the help of Boles and $1 million with the help of Sen. Tom McInnis. The county is supplying the rest of the funds.
“We support our local community. We support our local businesses, and we have them to stay with us, and we all work together for the common good,” said McInnis. “I want to thank you, Chief, for everything you’ve done and your vision and your staying with us. It wasn’t easy. I know how long you took. You and Jamie got it started.”
The addition will double the department’s size. The new facility will have a weight room, common room, full bathrooms, kitchen, classroom, multiple bedrooms and a new parking lot in the back. The new entrance will be in the back, giving extra bays for trucks in the front.
They plan to file permits in the next few weeks, and D.R. Reynolds Construction from Star hopes to begin construction in a few months, looking to complete the project by late 2025.
Also in attendance were county commissioners, Rep. Neal Jackson, representatives from Samarcand, Moore County Public Safety, and Eagle Springs firefighters.
Feature photo: Eagle Springs Fire Department members and dignitaries break ground on the fire station expansion on Oct. 28.
~Article and photos by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Curtis Self. Curtis has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2019.
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