On Tuesday, March 3, at 10 a.m., Natchitoches city officials and residents gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of Fire Station No. 3 at 3600 University Parkway, a project aimed at increasing emergency response efficiency and promoting safety.
According to Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr., the project reflects the city’s commitment to improving public safety and preparing for future growth.
“This station represents years of planning and advocacy,” Williams said. “It will help ensure that residents receive faster and more efficient emergency services.”
Williams emphasized how the project will align with the city’s goal of improving infrastructure and giving the public more services as Natchitoches continues to grow. This project has been long-awaited, with emergency coverage becoming more of a necessity with an increasing population, according to Williams.
The new fire station will allow firefighters to reach areas surrounding University Parkway, Northwestern State University of Louisiana and nearby neighborhoods quicker during emergencies. Before this, responding to emergencies meant dispatching crews from stations further away in Natchitoches, such as Fire Stations No. 1 or No. 6, increasing the response time. According to Williams and Fire Chief John Wynn, it’s expected that this station will improve overall coverage and allow for better response times.
The facility is estimated to cost about $3.25 million, with a majority of funding being provided by the state of Louisiana. The City of Natchitoches will cover any remaining expenditures. The projected completion of the facility is mid-2027.
“This station represents our commitment to protecting our residents and preparing Natchitoches for future growth,” Williams said.
The station is being equipped with new state-of-the-art response vehicles, gear storage, communication systems and specialized tools for medical and structural assignments.
“The new station is a much-needed facility for our firefighters. By giving our firefighters top-notch equipment, we are better able to serve the community and improve what we already know and do,” Wynn said. “On top of that, we’re given more resources to be able to respond faster to situations and ensure public safety needs are met when they are needed the most.”
Members of the community shared their support for the new station. Rebecca LeBlanc, a local resident, shared her thoughts following the groundbreaking.
“I think this is exactly what the community needs, especially when it comes to emergencies,” Leblanc said. “Having a station nearby just gives me a sense of relief, you know, being able to have emergency services when every minute counts is very reassuring.”
Fire Station No. 3 is an investment in the safety of Natchitoches, playing a major role in supporting the continued development of the city by improving the city’s ability to protect its citizens. Construction is expected to begin in the near future.
