Chesterfield breaks ground on new fire station in Chester
TL;DR: Chesterfield County broke ground on a $12.3 million replacement Fire Station 1 in Chester to address the area's rapid growth and the aging 64-year-old original facility.
Quick facts
- Who: Chesterfield County Fire and EMS
- What: Groundbreaking for new Fire Station 1 replacement facility
- When: June 18, 2026
- Where: Chester, Virginia, off Route 1 and Old Hundred Road (half mile west of current station)
The story
Chesterfield County officially broke ground Wednesday on a new Fire Station 1 in Chester, marking the start of construction on a $12.3 million facility designed to replace the county's 64-year-old original firehouse. The current station, built in 1962 on Old Hundred Road and originally staffed by volunteers, was never designed for the round-the-clock operations it now handles as the second busiest fire station in the county.
The new facility will be located a half mile west of the current station, off Route 1, on property purchased by the county in 2022. The design calls for a modern, three-bay station capable of housing an engine, brush truck, ambulance, and reserve units, with flexible design features that allow for future expansion. Unlike the current facility, the new building will be single-level with full accessibility, providing firefighters with safer and healthier living and working spaces during 24-hour shifts.
The project responds to rapid population growth in Chester. Last year, Fire Station 1 crews responded to more than 4,000 emergency calls. County planners determined that the aging original facility could not adequately serve the area's expanding residential and commercial base. Construction officially began following the groundbreaking, with the county anticipating completion within the timeframe outlined in the 2022 Community Facilities Bond Plan.
The replacement station represents a significant county investment in emergency services infrastructure, as Chesterfield Fire and EMS continues expanding capacity across its 446-square-mile coverage area. The project was funded through Chesterfield County's 2022 Community Facilities Bond, which also backed other public safety improvements throughout the county.
Key players
- Chesterfield County Fire and EMS: County emergency response agency overseeing the new station construction
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors: Approved funding via 2022 Community Facilities Bond Plan
Key dates
- 2022: County purchased land for new Fire Station 1
- June 18, 2026: Official groundbreaking for new Fire Station 1 construction
The case for
A new Fire Station 1 addresses genuine operational constraints. The current facility was built in 1962 as a volunteer-staffed firehouse and lacks infrastructure for modern, round-the-clock emergency operations. With over 4,000 calls per year, the station is understaffed and overcrowded. A modern facility with three bays, proper living quarters, and expanded training space will reduce response times, improve firefighter safety and morale, and allow the station to house the full range of emergency vehicles the county fleet has grown to include. The single-level, accessible design also opens the facility to community use and education.
The case against
The project carries a $12.3 million price tag during a period when county budgets face competing demands for education, transportation, and other services. While the replacement is necessary, some residents may question whether the scope and cost of the new facility are proportionate to Chester's needs, or whether a renovation or expansion of the existing site would have been more cost-effective. The half-mile relocation also means the station's coverage footprint will shift slightly, potentially affecting response times in some pockets of the district until service patterns adjust.
Why it matters: Chester residents depend on Fire Station 1 for emergency response to fires, medical calls, and rescue operations across a busy and growing district. A new, properly equipped facility with adequate staffing capacity will improve response times and safety for residents and firefighters alike, supporting the county's ability to serve its fastest-growing areas.
Places
Development timeline
- 1962Fire Station 1 Chester constructed: Original facility built as volunteer-staffed firehouse on Old Hundred Road [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/new-fire-station-1-chesterfield-virginia-feb-16-2026)
- 2022County purchased replacement station site: Property acquired off Route 1, half mile west of current station; buildings used for training [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/new-fire-station-1-chesterfield-virginia-feb-16-2026)
- February 2026Construction timeline announced: County officials announced construction would begin within weeks to address 4,000+ annual emergency calls [[source]](https://www.12onyourside.com/2026/02/20/work-starting-soon-new-chester-fire-station/)
- June 18, 2026Groundbreaking ceremony: Official groundbreaking marks beginning of construction on $12.3 million replacement Fire Station 1 [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/new-fire-station-1-june-17-2026)
Related links
- Chesterfield County Fire and EMS
- 2022 Community Facilities Bond Plan: Public Safety
- Fire Station 1 Chester Facility Details
Read the original at Google News: Chesterfield County →
Sources
- Construction of new Fire Station 1 in Chester underway, will replace 64-year-old facility
- New fire station coming to 'built up and filled up' Chester after 4,000+ calls last year
- Work starting soon on new Chester fire station
- Fire and EMS, Chesterfield County, VA
- 2022 Community Facilities Bond Plan: Public Safety
- Chesterfield Breaks Ground on New Fire Station