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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Gov. Beshear Announces Funding for New Volunteer Fire Station in Dover
DOVER, Ky. – Gov. Steve Beshear joined local leaders today to announce funding for a new volunteer fire station in Mason County.
The Governor presented a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to the city of Dover for construction of the building.
“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 the new building in Dover will ensure that volunteer firefighters are well-prepared and are able to respond to the needs of citizens as quickly as possible.”
The existing fire station is inadequate. Due to its limitations, all resources cannot be stored in one central location, which can impede efficiency in response times. Some equipment is stored in the barns and garages of firefighters. One of the fire trucks has a one-inch doorway clearance on each side when placed in the current facility, and four other fire-fighting vehicles are stored outside. Currently, when a fire run is dispatched, the volunteer firefighters have to drive to the remote locations to obtain the needed equipment. In the winter, snow and ice make the vehicles located outside virtually unusable.
“This project will address serious inadequacies in the current facility. A new building will enhance fire protection for the citizens of Dover, improve morale among the volunteer firefighters and will certainly be a valuable resource for the community,” said Department for Local Government (DLG) Commissioner Tony Wilder. “We have been pleased to work with Mason County leadership to make this happen.”
The new 4,800 square-foot facility will provide three double bays for six fire trucks, a multipurpose training room, bathrooms and a warming kitchen. It will be located centrally in Dover and will provide the volunteer fire department a location to house all equipment and resources. The department is responsible for serving 368 homes within the Dover city limits and the surrounding area. In addition to responding to approximately 80 calls per year, the station is called on for back-up services by surrounding local fire departments.
“I am proud to have been a part of providing a new Fire Station in Dover,” said Sen. Robin Webb of Grayson. “The community will benefit by this facility as a home for first responders and equipment, enhanced services in protection and a facility to serve the community of Dover.”
“This is great for both eastern Bracken County and northwestern Mason County,” said Rep. Denham of Maysville. “The new volunteer fire department will allow residents from this area the access to first responders that they need and deserve. I am grateful to both Governor Beshear and the Department of Local Government for their help with this grant.”
The state’s CDBG program is administered by DLG 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.
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