KUNA, Idaho — Community members now know where the Kuna Rural Fire District plans to build its second station.
"I'm elated that Station #2 is coming to fruition," Chief T.J. Lawrence said. "This is just going to allow us to provide such a better service."
Developer Timmothy Eck gifted the district a couple of acres roughly five minutes southwest of the existing station, Station #1. It is located on West Kuna Road, between East Greenhurst Road and South Ten Mile Road.
The district is paying for the new station with money from a 2022 bond. Lawrence said it was their fourth time going to the voters for one.
"The population, the calls for service was increasing, and then our reliability, meaning our ability to take on those second and third and maybe fourth calls, was diminishing," he said.
KTVB reached out to the district after receiving a viewer comment, which read in part, "The city of Kuna has been quiet as to where and when ground will be broken on the new station. As costs increase, wouldn't it make sense to get started sooner than later."
Lawrence said it "took some time" to find the correct location and work with the developer.
"The difference in locations of these two stations is, essentially, we have a railroad track goes through town that's really been a lot of concern."
Fire crews often get stuck at that track when responding to an emergency. Lawrence said having a station on the south side will help solve the problem.
"Time is important," he said. "So, if we're not able to get to those people, then sometimes, you know, there's a poor outcome."
Mayor Joe Stear said another station has been needed for many years, especially considering how much the city has grown in the last decade.
He said Station #2 will help the district not rely on outside crews as much.
"I spent 35 years with the Kuna Fire District, and so it's very near and dear to my heart," he said. "It's very important that the fire district be able to grow and to have the manpower so that they can safely fight fires and just make a better community and make the community safe."
The district hopes to have the station done by the end of 2025. Lawrence said they still need to be annexed by the city and find a contractor.
They would hire more firefighters to staff the station.