Florida Construction News staff writer
Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department (JFRD) officials, alongside city and federal partners, broke ground Monday on a new Marine Fire Station 48 at Blount Island. This project aims to enhance emergency response times for both marine and residential incidents in the area.
The station is being developed in partnership with the Department of Defense and the Jacksonville Port Authority. It will replace the existing Marine 48 and support faster responses along the city’s waterways. The construction is being carried out by Auld & White Constructors LLC, with the facility spanning 9,086 square feet and a construction cost of $3.9 million.
“Today’s groundbreaking is another example of our commitment to meeting the public safety needs of our city, along with the waterways that flow through and surround it,” Mayor Donna Deegan said during the ceremony Monday morning. “This will continue to be a top priority for our administration, as illustrated in our proposed 25–26 Budget.”
JFRD’s Marine Unit currently operates out of five stations: the old Marine 48 on Blount Island, Marine 38 off Trout River Drive, Marine 39 near Metropolitan Park, Marine 40 off Heckscher Drive, and Marine 68 in Mandarin. The new Marine 48 is expected to enhance coverage in the northern waterways and surrounding residential areas.
