By Michele Owen—
MUNCIE, IN—Fire Station 6 is one of the most strategic stations in the City of Muncie. Due to the train tracks running parallel to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Station 6 is the only station that can serve Whitely and the East side of Muncie when a train is present. Station 6 is also in desperate need of repair, with numerous foundation, mold, and livability issues.
The plans to replace Fire Station 6 have been discussed with City Council representatives since early 2022. Now, the location for the new station has been finalized after a survey revealed the best foundation for the building, which will include living quarters and 3 bays for fire engines and ambulances.
The new station will be built on the corner of MLK and Highland Avenue. The Mayor has discussed the change with Parks superintendent Carl Malone and several city council members., who were enthusiastic about the location.
Firefighters work multi-day shifts, and live at the station while on duty. Currently, the station does not have enough room to provide adequate living quarters or privacy. The two existing bays are not large enough to house the equipment necessary to serve the area. Fire Chief Dan Burford expressed enthusiasm for the new location and the station upgrades. “Being located directly on Highland reduces our response time for the most populated area,” he said of the Whitely neighborhood. “Our firefighters will finally be housed in quarters that meet all of their needs.”
Michele Owen is Communications Director for the City of Muncie.
