Gautier Fire Department Opens New West Fire Station

The Gautier Fire Department is happy to announce the opening of its new west fire station. The citizens of Gautier and west Jackson County can now rest easy when it comes to fire protection.

The Gautier Fire Department debuted its long awaited west fire station Friday morning. Robert Jones, Chief of the Gautier Fire Department, says, "When you’re planning on a building of this significance, you know it’s going to be here 50, 60, maybe 70 years, so you really want everything to be right the first time. You don’t wanna’ have to do do-overs or redoes and we think we covered our bases."

The 4,750 square foot building cost nearly $800,000, which came from city bond funding. Gautier Mayor, Gordon Gollott, says the money’s well worth it when it comes to how much the citizens will now save on insurance. Gollott says, "We get the opportunity to possibly lower our fire ratings, which we’re applying for that. Hopefully that will come soon, which will reduce the fire ratings, particularly for the people in this area because they were out of our immediate response time."

The new station will cover a five mile radius, beginning at Old Shell Landing Road and stretching all the way to the Vancleave border. Residents can expect a 35% decrease in their fire insurance rates. Mike Chaney, State Insurance Commissioner, says, "Stations like this help keep the insurance rates low. This will result in about a 35% decrease in fire insurance rates for the citizens of Gautier and keep them down. It’s a class 6. It will probably go down to a 5 when we re-rate them."

The Gautier Fire Department has hired nine new employees this year, six of which will be working at the new station. Roberts closes, "I’ve hired nine people and we’re looking to hire more in the future."

The new station will also help the fire department save more lives and properties, and will serve as an emergency shelter during disasters.