Upgrades and Expansion to Meet Growing Needs
The Ruston Fire Department is undergoing significant upgrades as it prepares to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding city. These changes are seen as essential for maintaining effective emergency services and ensuring public safety in the face of continuous growth.
A new Fire Station 2 is currently under construction and is expected to open this winter. This marks a major shift from the existing Station 2, which has been serving the city’s south side since 1949. The old station, now deemed inadequate due to its age and limited size, was unable to accommodate modern firefighting equipment and personnel.
Fire Chief Chris Womack highlighted the limitations of the current facility. “New Station 2 replaces a station that opened in 1949. It was very small. We had to have a special design truck just to fit in the station. The last time we placed the engine there. So this station will open early winter. Hopefully, it will have our fire prevention team housed there.”
The new facility will not only provide more space but also serve as the base for the department’s fire prevention team. This team plays a crucial role in conducting inspections, educating the public on fire safety, and enforcing fire codes. The expansion is designed to support these efforts more effectively.
Womack emphasized that the upgrade is also about improving emergency response coverage, especially in areas near Louisiana Tech University and the city’s growing southern neighborhoods. “It will absolutely improve coverage because it’s very near Louisiana Tech University. It’s just right down the road in the current station. It helps that and then our coverage on the south side of town will be increased. We’ll have more available units and manpower.”
Ruston is one of the fastest-growing cities in north Louisiana. The city has experienced new housing developments, retail expansions, and infrastructure projects across nearly every direction. This growth comes with a responsibility to ensure that public services, including fire protection, keep pace with the changing landscape.
“The city of Ruston and you just drive around, we’re growing in all directions. And so the fire department has to keep up with that. That’s a part of that goal is to we don’t want to be playing catch up if no more we have to,” said Womack.
In addition to new facilities, the department is also investing in its fleet. One cost-saving measure recently implemented was remounting an existing ambulance chassis onto a new frame. Womack noted that this approach saved the city over $100,000 compared to purchasing a brand-new vehicle.
This kind of efficiency, combined with new infrastructure, signals what Womack calls a “new chapter” for the Ruston Fire Department. As the city continues to grow, he emphasizes that public safety must evolve alongside it, ensuring that services remain proactive rather than reactive.
