Zebulon develops new fire and EMS headquarters to keep up with growth

ZEBULON, N.C. — As Zebulon’s population continues to soar, the town’s fire department is preparing for the future. A new 25,000-square – foot fire and EMS headquarters will soon be developed. 

For decades, the Zebulon Fire Department has worked out of its Vance Street station, built in the 1970s. But as the town continues to grow, so does the demand for emergency services.

But in a few years, that will change. Land just beside the town hall is the future home of Zebulon’s new fire and EMS headquarters, a 25,000-square-foot facility designed to support the growing needs of a rapidly growing community.

“As our town grows, we don’t just grow in the center, we grow out, and it expands more and more,” Fire Chief Christopher Perry explained. “So, our new station is more strategically located.”

Currently, two fire crews operate out of the same Vance Street house, which can affect response times. Perry says that spreading out resources will help efficiency and public safety.

“You just get to a point where sometimes it’s more efficient to spread them out,” Perry explained. “That way… you can reduce response times to everybody.”

The new headquarters will include modern amenities, drive-through apparatus bays for trucks and ambulances, public-access zones and storm-water wetlands, increasing the physical presence of first responders in the area, which Perry says builds community trust.

Perry says that trust-building is as crucial as infrastructure in this project.

“I think it helps us…it builds confidence in our emergency services system,” he said.

Zebulon’s new fire and EMS hub will also bring a permanent home for WakeEMS, which hasn’t had a dedicated station in town for several years. The project is expected to be completed in 2027.

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