Kearney Volunteer Fire Department, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — The proposed Kearney Fire Station No. 3 aims to increase the response time of the firefighters to northeast Kearney. The city council recently selected a professional design consultant for the project.
Kearney City Manager Brenda Jensen said that the proposed No. 3 fire station is planned to be built near the new water tower which is located near the intersection of E. 48th St. and N Ave.
The purpose of the location is to increase response time for the northeast side of Kearney. Jensen said as the community begins to expand in that direction, it becomes more important to have fire services close by.
The Kearney Volunteer Fire Department currently has Fire Station No. 1 in downtown Kearney along A Ave. and Fire Station No. 2 in northwest Kearney along 30th Ave. There is also a KVFD presence at the Kearney Municipal Airport to meet Federal Aviation Administration requirements.
Jensen said the KVFD assets at the airport can respond to northeast Kearney, but the response time can still be up to 10 minutes.
The Kearney city council recently approved Wilkins Architecture Design Planning and Parkhill to be the professional design consultant for the new station. They were among nine firms that submitted statements of qualifications.
Jensen said that the rough timeline is to break ground on the new station in the spring of 2026 and to finish construction within the year.
The current plan for manning the station is to relocate staff members and additional fire engines and apparatus to the new station.
Jason Whalen, Fire Administrator for KVFD, said the department is still working through decisions when it comes to manning the new station. He did note that they won’t need to purchase new engines for Station No. 3.
He said the biggest benefit will be the proximity to northeast Kearney which is a long way from Stations No. 1 and No. 2.
When asked about ideal response times, Whalen said KVFD members work to be out the door 90 seconds after dispatch and six minutes to an accident scene or fire is the maximum time they want to take traveling in town.
He noted that due to variety of factors including building materials and practices, a fire in a room can reach flash over in as little as three to four minutes. The quicker firefighters get on scene, the safer it is for them operating in and around the structure.
Whalen said he is excited that a third station is coming to the northeast part of town. He said he feels like the addition of the station is overdue and they are excited for the opportunity to be able to respond quicker to residents in the area.
The proposed No. 3 fire station is planned to be built near the new water tower, located near the intersection of E. 48th St. and N Ave., (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
