BY JENN SAMSEL
Cody Johnson, David Weeks, Ben Carter, Wayne Clemons, Peyton Brown, Matthew Kimball, Scott Kornegay, Colin Traylor, David Jackson, Jeremy Loomis and Kevin Mobley.
Special to the Telegraph
On Jan. 31, Bradford County officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of Station 10 in Speedville. The fire department bays, constructed in 2017, now feature new living quarters for full-time firefighters.
The Keystone Heights Fire Department ceased operations in 2014, as Clay County Fire Rescue took over emergency response in the southwestern part of Clay County. In 2020, Bradford County replaced its collection of volunteer departments with a countywide paid department.
Many fire departments have made similar transitions, from being strictly volunteer to a combination of paid and volunteer personnel or establishing fire stations with all paid staff.
County Commissioner Danny Riddick credited the Keystone volunteers for jumpstarting the Station 10 effort. He thanked businessman Vince Esson for continuing the momentum.
In 2016, the Keystone Heights Volunteer Fire Department signed over $1.2 million worth of equipment to Bradford County Fire Rescue. That came with $75,000 towards the new building. Riddick said Santa Fe College donated the land, and Vince Esson from the Keystone Heights RV Resort donated $150,000 to complete the station with the new living quarters.
“I also wanted to thank everyone who contributed, and I cannot thank you enough,” added Riddick, who represents District 4, which stretches from southern tip of Bradford to west of Hampton Lake. “You have helped us with this project from the start, and today this station is complete and sitting in the fastest-growing area in the county.”
“This is a milestone for Bradford County and a significant step in strengthening fire and EMS services in our southeast region,” said Bradford County Fire Rescue Chief Ben Carter. “With this station, we are officially adding 24-7 fire response and advanced life support services, ensuring a faster, more effective emergency response for our residents.”
“This station is here today because of the efforts of so many individuals and businesses,” he continued, “and to the men and women of Bradford County Fire Rescue, you’re the heart of this department.”
