Hillsborough County breaking ground on Fire Station No. 48 today in South Progress Village

Florida Construction News staff writer

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue will break ground on Fire Station No. 48 today (Nov. 6) in South Progress Village, the county’s second new fire station groundbreaking in as many weeks.

Station 47 broke ground in the Ruskin area on Oct. 30. This full-service station will have at least five full-time firefighters per 24-hour shift and be equipped with a fire engine and rescue ambulance. Construction is expected to be completed by October 2026.

Today’s ceremony for Station No. 48 is scheduled for 1 p.m. at 7412 S. 78th St. in Riverview. The project aims to meet growing public safety needs in a part of the county that has seen steady residential and industrial growth.

To secure the site, Hillsborough County completed a land swap with Mosaic, officials said.

Like Fire Station No. 47, the new facility will feature a two-bay design housing a fire engine and rescue ambulance. It will be staffed by at least five full-time firefighters per 24-hour shift.

Construction is expected to be completed by October 2026. The building will include modern features designed to improve firefighter health and safety, including a decontamination area with showers and laundry facilities to reduce exposure to carcinogens commonly found in smoke and residue from fires.

The station will also include a progressive alert system that gradually increases sound to wake firefighters during emergencies, replacing traditional loud alarms that can contribute to stress and fatigue.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue responds to about 140,000 emergency calls annually. The county’s Fire Rescue Master Plan calls for the construction of 20 new fire stations over the next 24 years to keep up with population growth and demand.

Officials said Fire Station No. 48 will improve response times and enhance protection for residents and businesses in South Progress Village and surrounding communities.