Wake County commissioners Monday, Feb. 17 approved the schematic design for a new public safety station in northwestern Wake County, the county said in a press release. The new station will be shared by the Northern Wake Fire Department, Wake County EMS and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office.
“The construction of this new station supports two of Wake County’s top priorities: public safety and equity,” said Commissioner Vickie Adamson. “As a county of over 800 square miles with a population more than 1.2 million strong, we have to bolster our infrastructure so that essential fire, EMS and law enforcement services are accessible to all.”
This area of the county is currently served by the Creedmoor Fire Department and Northern Wake Fire Department, but it is outside of any station’s five-mile response boundaries. Wake County therefore decided to construct a new station that will allow for quicker response times and lower insurance premiums for many nearby residents.
Background
In the rural areas of northwestern Wake County, many residents currently reside more than five miles from the nearest fire station. This leads to several concerns for residents. Not only does it take longer for responders to reach them during an emergency, but insurance companies also often charge higher premiums for properties outside of this radius.
Wake County Fire Services and Emergency Management thus developed a plan to expand the Wake County Fire Tax District to include this section of the county. After several community meetings, on Oct. 21, 2024, they brought this proposal before the Wake County Board of Commissioners at their regular board meeting. The Board of Commissioners accepted the proposal, enabling County funds to be used to support fire services in this area.
Station Plans
Sandy Plains Public Safety Station will be an 8,500-square-foot station located on about 14 acres of land north of Falls Lake. The station will be co-located by Northern Wake Fire Department, Wake County EMS and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, which will help facilitate collaboration between all three agencies.
The building will include dormitories, day rooms, exercise space, kitchen facilities, work areas, a staff wellness room and three parking bays for emergency vehicles.
The new station will also be built with environmental sustainability in mind. Construction plans feature a solar photovoltaic system, roofing materials with high solar reflectivity, drought-tolerant plant materials and energy-efficient systems and appliances.
The current construction budget for the project is $8 million. A notice to proceed for construction may be issued as soon as September 2025, and the facility should be open for service by October 2026.
For more information, including the latest project updates, visit Wake County’s webpage.
