MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – The Horry County Infrastructure and Regulation Committee is taking a look at how part of the Ride III project could impact the Forestbrook fire station and the surrounding community.
In 2017, the fire station on Forestbrook Road was the third busiest fire station in the county, handling 1,565 calls. According to county officials, the station could potentially be too close to the road for the Ride III widening project that’s supposed to start in 2023.
The reason leaders are discussing the potential problem now is because the county may have to tear down the fire station and build a new one if the widening project can’t be done any other way.
“This is still in the very preliminary stages of discussion,” said Kelly Moore with Horry County.
Captain Mark Nugent with the Horry County Fire Rescue said if it comes to the point of the building being torn down and replaced, fire officials will have to find another lot of land on Forestbrook Road, but the challenge is making sure it’s easily accessible.
“We’ll need to find land and find a space that’s not going to affect our response times,” said Capt. Nugent. “We don’t want to be situated too far off the road to where we’re losing seconds trying to get out of there for a call.”
Capt. Nugent said leaders will take a look at the data for what parts of Forestbrook are generating the most calls, and try to find a place near the hot spots if necessary. He also said if the Forestbrook fire station had to be torn down and replaced, the firefighters at the current station would not leave the community, and they would still respond to calls.
“They will be right there working until they transition into that new fire rescue location,” said Capt. Nugent.
The county is expected to take a closer look at this part of the Ride III plan and other capital improvement projects at their budget retreat on March 22-23.