Branson's new Fire Station 4 aims to improve response times in southwest part of town

Ryan Collingwood, Springfield News-Leader
·1 min read
The City of Branson unveiled its new fire station on Wednesday.
The City of Branson unveiled its new fire station on Wednesday.

One year after breaking ground in southwest Branson, Fire Station 4 is ready to serve the city.

The $5 million facility on Champagne Boulevard, funded by a 1/20-cent public sales tax imposed in 2017, was unveiled to the public Wednesday in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Instead of traditional scissors to cut the fabric, officials used the Jaws of Life.

Branson's latest fire station was built to help improve response times in the southern part of the popular tourist town. It will house three fire engines and a ladder truck along with full-time staff, captain, a driver engineer and two 24-hour firefighters.

Branson Fire Chief Ted Martin said at Wednesday's press conference that emergency response times to southwest Branson were in the 14-16 minute range, which he expects to now be cut down to around five minutes.

Branson Fire Chief Ted Martin, center, at Wednesday's press conference.
Branson Fire Chief Ted Martin, center, at Wednesday's press conference.

Fire Station 4 will primarily serve the southwest portion of Branson, but its services will also be used throughout the the city. Branson's fire department collectively has more than 50 personnel.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Branson's new Fire Station 4 opens, ready to improve response times