Citrus County Gets $3.5M State Grant for New Fire Station

Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia presented Citrus County Fire Rescue with $3.5 million in state funding on February 2 at Fire Station 20 in Pine Ridge for construction of a relocated Fire Station 8 at Inverness Airport.

The new station will serve approximately 7,200 additional homes in Inverness Highlands and surrounding areas, reducing emergency response times. Fire Chief Craig Stevens said the relocation will allow crews to "operate more efficiently and better protect the citizens of Citrus County."

The improved station location should boost Citrus County's ISO Public Protection Classification to Class 3/3Y, potentially lowering homeowners insurance premiums. The county also received support from State Representative J.J. Grow, the Florida Department of Financial Services – Division of State Fire Marshal, and the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners.

Six other departments across the region received grants: Gilchrist County Fire Rescue, Inglis Fire Rescue, Williston Fire Rescue (Station 72), Inverness Fire Department, the Town of Cross City Fire Department, and the Town of Bronson Fire Department.