CONTRIBUTED – Stoney Creek Volunteer Fire Department recently opened their third substation serving their community and while that event was a joyous one, the excitement did not end there. Shortly after the new station opened, a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous came forward and paid off the balance owed on the building, so now the new substation is free of debt.

Construction on the new substation was completed in September and the Stoney Creek Volunteer Fire Department held an open house in October. The substation is a 30’ x 50’ metal building with two bays for emergency vehicles, living quarters, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Currently one engine is being housed at the station with hopes of adding a second truck in the future.

Prior to the opening of the new substation, there were 185 homes in that area that were more than five miles away from SCVFD’s Station 1. Those homes will now be able to take full advantage of the fire department’s ISO rating of 5, which will allow them to see a significant savings on their insurance, Buckles said.

In speaking with some members of the community, Buckles said they had reported savings on their home insurance ranging from $200 to $500 per year.

“This could conservatively save the community around $50,000 a year,” Buckles said. “We are so excited to add this station to Stoney Creek and increase the service offered to a community that supports us so well. This will create savings to the community for years to come.”

Carter County Mayor Rusty Barnett, a retired firefighter himself, said he is excited for the benefits the new substation will provide citizens in the community.

“I believe this is a win-win situation for the residents of upper Stoney Creek,” Barnett said.“Not only will this help to improve response times but it will also help with insurance rates for those residents as well.”

“I’m proud of the hard work and dedication the members of the Stoney Creek Volunteer Fire Department display on a daily basis.”

While Buckles said the department felt blessed to be able to offer increased services to their community, a true blessing happened in late November. It was then that an anonymous donor reached out to the department wanting to pay off the remaining debt associated with the construction cost of the station.

“Station 3 has been paid in full,” Buckles said.

With Station 3 now free of debt, Buckles said the department will now be able to plan to address another need for their department.

“We will begin looking at plans to repair or replace our Station 2 in Hunter due to severe foundation problems that we have been fighting for 20 years due to the creek eroding the property,” Buckles said. Those plans, he added will include fundraising activities in the coming year.