The Treasure Island City Commission has unanimously approved the location for a new Public Safety Facility, which will house both the city’s police and fire departments. The facility will be built next to City Hall at 10499 Gulf Blvd., a central location aimed at improving emergency response times and increasing police visibility.
The new facility is expected to significantly enhance public safety services in Treasure Island. It is projected to reduce Fire and EMS response times by an estimated 38 seconds citywide. The modernized building will also be designed to withstand hurricanes and tropical storms, ensuring that first responders can continue serving the community during severe weather events.
READ: AccuWeather: Warm Spring For Southern And Central US, Chilly Transition For Northern States
“It’s important for us to have a facility that will withstand storms so we can return immediately and serve the residents of Treasure Island from the island, not from an EOC that is miles away,” said Treasure Island Police Chief John Barkley. “We all want to be here with them as we are a part of the community.”
In addition to improved response times and resilience, the new facility will feature a dedicated Emergency Operations Center (EOC), allowing for better coordination during emergencies.
The City Commission also approved the issuance of an Engineering/Design Request for Qualifications (RFQ), marking the next step in the project’s development.
READ: Florida’s Nature Preserves: A Vital Sanctuary For Wildlife And Recreation
“Deciding on the best site for our new public safety facility is the first step in replacing the facility destroyed in the recent hurricanes,” said Treasure Island Fire Rescue Chief Trip Barrs. “Approval to issue a request for qualifications will allow us to begin the process of hiring design and engineering professionals to create a public safety building that is an asset to this community for many years to come.”
Further details about the project timeline and design will be shared with the community as they become available.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
