STATION REMODEL IS COMPLETED
June 21, 2010
Finally, after lots of work (and infinite patience!) our station is completed. All department operations, administration and training are now located at the new building and we have never been happier. We think the most happy are the firefighters, due to the fact that this is the first fire station in the history of JVFD that wasn’t build entirely by the members. Feel free to come by anytime and take a tour or our new home.
Station One Remodel Groundbreaking Ceremony
October 23, 2009
In 1975, the Jollyville volunteer firefighters started out in a small garage on Pond Springs Road in northwest Austin. In the mid-1980s, as the area grew, so did the fire station. The volunteer firefighters moved from their original building, still in use today by a private company, to a new station on Anderson Mill Road.
Michael Belohlavy, Commissioner Lisa Birkman, Mack Sherrod, Kenny Schnell, Adam Bryant, Darryl Phillips, Assistant Chief Brian Quinlan (watching) and Fire Chief John Kiracofe at the groundbreaking for the expansion of Fire Station No. 1 in September.
Now that station, Fire Station No. 1, located near the intersection of Pond Springs Road and Anderson Mill Road, is ready to grow again.
“Both the stations we operate out of were never intended to be full-service, live-in stations,” Jollyville Fire Chief John Kiracofe said of the department’s volunteer heritage. “We’ve just had to make do. Now, with this expansion, we’ll have living quarters.”
The Jollyville Fire Department, Williamson County and Emergency Services District No. 1 broke ground on the station expansion project mid-September. The expanded station will house the Jollyville Fire Department and the Williamson County Emergency Medical Services, said Lisa Birkman, Williamson County commissioner for Precinct 1.
Fire Station No. 1 serves the area surrounding the station in southern Williamson County, including the Springwoods and North Austin No. 1 municipal utility districts, Milwood, Hunters Chase, Rattan Creek and Forest North neighborhoods and adjoining county areas. The expansion to the station includes new living quarters for the EMS and fire personnel, a classroom, new offices and new bays to house fire trucks and ambulances.
The existing space will also be renovated to create living quarters for Williamson County EMS Medic 22, which shares the station with the firefighters.
“They don’t have any living quarters or educational spaces now,” said Connie Watson, public affairs manager for Williamson County.
She said the ESD and the county jointly funded the expansion and renovation. The project costs just under $1 million. Construction is projected to take five months for completion.
While the county provides the facilities, the JFD provides the manpower, Kiracofe said.
According to JFD’s website, the station expansion was made necessary since the City of Austin annexed Anderson Mill MUD, where the former EMS station was located. That annexation took effect Jan. 1. The expansion is also in response to high growth and additional demand for services in the area, Watson said.
Kiracofe said the officials were hoping to have the expansion completed before the annexation.
“But it’s been a longer process than I thought it would be,” he said. “We’re just so excited it’s finally happening.”
A Shift responds to consignment store fire.
July 6, 2009
Fire damages clothing store
Photo by Texas Fire Photo
A fire Friday afternoon damaged a children’s consignment store called “Once Upon A Child” in a strip shopping center at 13376 U.S. 183 Read more
Small Fire At Audobon Square
January 3, 2009
New Year’s Eve day was kept busy with two small fires and several other calls. The first small fire was contained to the kitchen of an apartment at the Hunter’s Chase apartments. A short time later, crews were requested at the Audobon Square apartments for a fire in the wall of a second floor balcony. Read more