Station 8 groundbreaking

Moving dirt to start Station 8

 

On a perfect spring day in a picturesque setting, ceremonial ground was broken for Goochland Fire-Rescue Station 8 on April 7 in Sandy Hook.

The event began with an invocation by Pastor Adlai Allen of Chief Cornerstone Baptist Church who thanked the Lord for the first new emergency response district in the county in over 60 years. Since an ambulance was deployed at the site during the 2023 construction of the Courthouse Village roundabout, it has responded to 1,065 calls, becoming the third busiest ambulance in the department.

“We gather today with grateful hearts to break ground on this new fire station. May this station serve as a beacon of hope and stronghold of safety for our community,” prayed Pastor Allen. He asked for blessings on the firefighters and EMS providers who will serve at Station 8 and the construction workers who will build it. “God grant them courage, wisdom, and protection as they serve others. May this be a place of strength, unity, and dedicated service.” He asked for continued blessings on District 2, the supervisors, and those who work together striving for the advancement of all people in Goochland.

County Administrator Dr. Jeremy Raley, Ed.D. introduced supervisors Neil Spoonhower, District 2; Tom Winfree District 3; Charlie Vaughters, District 4; and Jonathan Lyle, District 5. Also in attendance were Congressman John McGuire; Sheriff Steven Creasey; Commonwealth’s Attorney John Lumpkins; and former District 2 Supervisor Manny Alvarez.

The groundbreaking represents an important milestone in county history, the county’s ongoing commitment to public safety. Expansion to Sandy Hook dates back to the 1970’s, when the growing need for a fire-rescue there station was first identified. Over the years, many people, especially former supervisors, the late Dr. James Bowles, Sr.; the late William Quarles, Jr.; and Alvarez who played important roles in sustaining that vision that finally resulted in Station 8.

Station 8 coming soon (Goochland County image)

Raley said that the “temporary” deployment of an ambulance to Sandy Hook, on property purchased by the county for a future Station 8, proved, what the community already knew, that there was a need for fire-rescue service there. When station 8 is done it will be staffed 24/7 with an ambulance and fire engine by both career and volunteer providers. He thanked all who collaborated on the project and welcomed all to the groundbreaking and hoped they would return for the grand opening of Station 8 in about a year.

Spoonhower, proudly wearing a ball cap emblazoned with “Station 8”, said that years from now people may not remember what he said, but they will remember what was begun.  He recalled the difficulty he had obtaining homeowner’s insurance when he moved “over the hill” 25 years ago because there was no fire station nearby.

 “Today, we start to fix that. I want to thank all the people past and present, past supervisors, Manny Alvarez and Corey Bowls, who worked on this. Most of all, I want to thank the citizens, especially Pastor Allen, who supported this and reminded me often of the importance of Station 8 and to make sure this was on task.”

Over the years there have been many studies about the need for Station 8, but when that ambulance deployed to county-owned property began to respond to calls, it became clear. “When you can hear my neighbor’s house is being responded to in four rather than 14 minutes, the difference is huge,” said Spoonhower.

“Buildings don’t serve communities, the people in them do. That includes incredible leadership like that of our own Chief Ferguson who was named Virginia Fire Chief of the year. Spoonhower thanked those, especially his fellow supervisors whose support made Station 8—which was not scheduled to be built until 2031—possible, and the incredible mix of paid and volunteer providers.

Fire-rescue volunteers said Spoonhower, “Are your friends and neighbors who have jobs, families’ responsibilities, and they still step up when the calls come in. Staffing this station with career providers will cost about $1.5 million per year.” He urged others to volunteer to ensure that when people have the worst day of their lives someone is there to help. Leading by example, Spoonhower handed Ferguson his application to be the first volunteer at Station 8.

Ferguson said that 2026 is the 75^th anniversary of the fire service in Goochland. EMS was added in 1966. People have advocated for a station Sandy Hook for many years. He reported that efforts to create a rescue squad around Gum Spring, halfway between Company’s 3 and 6, began in the 1970’s but never came to fruition. “It’s our honor to be able to place this project on the tracks and see it to completion on this beautiful piece of property that meets all of our requirements.”

The eight-acre site, comprised of three parcels, has frontage on Dogtown, Whitehall, and Sandy Hook Roads enabling multidirectional response from the station.

Ferguson thanked the station design team under the leadership of Battalion Chief Blake Markey and HBA Architecture & Interior Design and General Services Director Scott Forster for their collaboration on Station 8 for almost two years of design and planning. Station 8 will be a state-of-the-art facility with three drive through bays, a full complement of apparatus, and everything needed to support providers.

He concluded with a memory of William Quarles, Jr., a distinguished public servant who was both a supervisor and school board member, embodying the spirit of a true gentleman who was always smiling. “On several occasions, Mr. Quarles shared words of encouragement. Chief, we’re going to shoot for the moon and maybe land on a star. We landed on that star when we started operations here in 2023 and now, we’re aiming for the moon.”

 

Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCDnZoSZCts to view the event.