New fire station saves time, saves lives

OCHOPEE, Fla.- A new fire station along alligator alley is helping cut response times by about 75 percent.

Station 63 has been in the works for more than two decades. It became a reality in November and has since cut some response times in some instances from 40 minutes to just four.

“Times is everything in our business,” said Chief Alan McLaughlin of Ochopee Fire Control.

Time played a huge role in a deadly accident along alligator alley last Thursday.

“I just witnessed an accident down here on I-75,” said a 911 caller. “I believe there were three vehicles involved and one is down over the bank on fire.”

Station 63 crews were pulling out victims in the deadly accident just minutes after leaving the station.

“Ma’am there is a sports car– there is a man in the sports car he was hit on the drivers door. He is not moving he is still in the car. Another truck that hit him is on the side its on fire,” said a 911 caller.

Troopers say a 64-year-old woman died but two others were saved thanks in part to the new station, Station 63.

“From the time of dispatch to on scene, it was four minutes and 22 seconds,” explained McLaughlin. “That would of been a 38 mile response.”

Since opening in November, the four man crew has responded to 47 calls.

“Our biggest benefit of the station is our response time and that’s what it does, saves lives,” said Chief McLaughlin.