Bonita Springs Fire Station 27 has reopened after being closed for more than two years due to damage from hurricanes Ian and Milton.
The fire station, located along Hickory Boulevard just south of Big Hickory Pass on Bonita Beach, sustained major damage from Hurricane Ian in 2022 and further damage from Hurricane Milton in October this year.
"Our closest unit to this station is down on Mango Drive, which gives us about a 13 to 14-minute response to the edge of our district," said Fire Chief Greg DeWitt. "It's right there. It's a drawbridge, a Fort Myers beach. So we had to supplement that. And that's why we put a station here, was because the response times in, our goal at the Springs Fire Department is to be there within 4 to 6 minutes."
During the repairs, it took fire crews longer to reach some emergencies, but now Station 27 is fully equipped and ready to serve the community.
"We're back home. It's getting start to the high season. So that was our goal to be here by the end of the year or the first of the year," DeWitt said."However you want to look at it. But it's, you know, we're here to respond. We're here to help and do our job. That's what it's for."
The reopening of Station 27 means faster response times for Bonita Springs residents, ensuring that firefighters can reach emergencies within their target time of 4 to 6 minutes.
The station is now fully operational and equipped with the essentials needed for firefighters to feel at home during their 24-hour shifts.
The community can now rest assured that their local fire station is back in action, ready to provide crucial emergency services.