Author: Gary Nager

Although we told you all about the new Pasco County Fire Rescue Station No. 2 last issue, we had to visit the new station on Wesley Chapel Blvd. again for its official Grand Opening, which was held on Aug. 14. 

The event, which also attracted more than 100 local residents, many of whom expressed their appreciation for the station, also featured speeches by assistant county administrator for public safety Joanna Cheshire (in yellow, right), Pasco Fire Chief Ryan Guynn (holding large Ajax scissors), Pasco County District 2 Commissioner & Board vice-chair Seth Weightman (to Chief Guynn’s right) and Board chair Jack Mariano (to Weightman’s right). Also in attendance were dozens of other county fire officials, firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs). 

Other highlights included tours of the beautiful, modern new facility, a sudden torrential downpour that forced the ribbon-cutting ceremony inside with the doors closed, as well as a call for service that had those in attendance watching Ladder Truck 2 exiting the building. 

“What a great day for Pasco County and the people of Wesley Chapel,” Commissioner Mariano said. “It’s very important for Pasco County to protect its citizens and this station was badly needed to reduce our response times. I want to thank our fire and EMS team for being out here every single day, saving lives. This station is built to meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s growth.” 

Commissioner Weightman added, “The GO (General Obligation) bond for this station was approved by the voters in 2019 because you said, ‘Hey, we need this.’ So, all the thanks goes to you and we can’t express how grateful we are.” 

He added, “This facility represents the very best Pasco County has to offer, not just in service, but with the people who live and work out of this facility. This station will not only reduce response times. It also will help your homeowners insurance to go down and that’s [one reason] why we’re working expeditiously to build new fire stations across this county.” 

Up next was Cheshire, who spoke on behalf of county administrator Mike Carballa. “This really takes a village,” Cheshire said, also thanking the county attorney’s office for its help, and the adjacent Calvary Baptist Church, “for allowing us to use their parking lot today. We’re becoming good, close neighbors.” 

Cheshire also mentioned how much she appreciates the firefighters, “who don’t know a Friday. First responders are always on [duty]. We’re happy to have the ‘D’ shift but they still always work around the clock. This is a Grand Opening, but for them, it’s more of a housewarming. The firefighters and EMTs do everything together and they live here, so we always have to thank them.” 

Last but not least was Chief Guynn. “The commissioners were right,” he aid. “The citizens made this happen and it really does take a village. There’s a lot of retired firefighters in the audience here. It was your dream, but we’re the ones getting to bring it together and move it forward.” 

Guynn also thanked the crews at the new station for being, “the ones doing the hard work.” He named quite a few members of his senior team by name (but didn’t give first and last names, so I don’t want to get any names wrong). “I know we’ve given the citizens the credit for passing the GO bond, and they deserve it, but I also want to thank our county commissioners. They really care about public safety…our citizens’ safety…and always keep fire rescue on the forefront and we can’t thank you guys enough for that.” 

He also talked about how needed the new station was, both geographically and to serve the “9,000 parcels and 20,000-25,000 residents in its zone. Since we opened on July 14 (one month before the event), we’ve run one confined space rescue, four structure fires, we’ve performed 18 advanced life support cardiac calls and various other rescues, so this station is already making a difference.”