In a significant milestone for public safety in Osceola’s west side, the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners, Osceola County Fire Rescue & EMS (OCFR), community leaders, and project partners gathered to mark the official opening of the new Fire Station 71, now located on Westside Boulevard in District 1.
The state-of-the-art facility will serve as the new home for Engine 71 and Rescue 71, which were previously based at a station on West U.S. Highway 192. The new station will also temporarily house Rescue 75, an EMS unit slated to transition to its permanent station on Funie Steed Road later this year.
“I am thrilled to be opening this beautiful new station,” Osceola County District 1 Commissioner Peggy Choudhry said. “Station 71 has been a fixture in our community for decades, and this new home for its firefighters and equipment will allow them to continue providing their amazing lifesaving services for many years to come.”
Construction of the $11 million, 8,500-square-foot facility began in September 2024. Designed by BRPH architects, built by Arnco Construction, and supported by planning services from Ardmore Roderick, the new station is equipped with modern amenities that support OCFR’s mission, including expanded living quarters, training space, and enhanced operational capacity.
“Station 71’s new home, in tandem with the opening of Station 75 in the coming months, marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for public safety services in Osceola County,” said County Manager Don Fisher. “These facilities will allow our firefighters and paramedics to reach farther, arrive faster, and ultimately serve our community more effectively.”
Located less than three miles from its previous home, the relocation of Station 71 does not affect the unit’s designated first-due response area. The move is designed to enhance OCFR’s response capabilities while improving the working environment for emergency personnel.
The opening of Station 71 marks the first completed project in a broader OCFR initiative launched in 2024 to expand and modernize fire and EMS infrastructure. Three additional stations are under development, including Stations 75 and 83—serving Funie Steed Road and North Marigold Avenue, respectively—and a new facility for Station 43 in Campbell City. Station 75 is expected to open later this year, while Stations 43 and 83 are projected for completion in late 2025 or early 2026.
“Station 71’s new home is just the first step in extending and strengthening our chain of services across our community,” Fire Chief Larry Collier said. “Over the coming year, the completion of our current station projects will see our department better positioned than ever to fulfill our mission of service to the community.”
