East Manatee Fire Rescue opens new Myakka City station

Cassie Van Hook said she feels safer living next door to the East Manatee Fire Rescue’s Station 11. 

It’s pretty handy, too. When a friend locked her keys in her car, Van Hook asked her neighbors for help. The firefighters had a tool to pop the lock within minutes. 

“They’re all really good guys,” Van Hook said. “My kids walk to school (at Myakka City Elementary). If they didn't walk right by this station, I feel like I’d be nervous about it.”

Van Hook was one of approximately 100 Myakka City residents to check out the new station at a grand opening celebration Nov. 23. 

“Everybody’s excited,” Myakka City’s Cindy McCollough said. “(The new station) will get more services out to the community. Instead of everything coming from town out here, it’s already here.”

McCollough has built a good relationship with the station. She runs TANKS, a cat sanctuary around the corner on Wauchula Road. She was just at the station two days prior to pick up two stray cats found by members of the crew. 

The assistance works both ways because McCollough said she's needed help getting things on ladders at the sanctuary a couple times over the years. The firefighters came over and did the climbing for her, so she didn't have to risk hurting herself. She cares for the cats alone.

The original 6,500-square-foot station was built in 1995 on two acres off Wauchula Road, but the lot was four acres. The new 10,500-square-foot station was built on the remaining two acres next door. 

“The board had already decided that we needed something substantial here,” Chief Lee Whitehurst said. “But then Hurricane Ian came along and put an exclamation point on that.” 

In 2022, the Station 11 crew had to evacuate Myakka City Elementary School prior to the Category 4 hurricane’s landfall because the old station wasn’t rated to handle anything above a Category 2 hurricane.

Now, the crew can hunker down at their home away from home to wait out any category hurricane. 

Photo by Lesley Dwyer

In a behind-the-scenes look at a firefighter’s daily routine, the public was able to tour the new station’s living quarters and get an up close look at the equipment. 

Firefighter Steven Cooley said the Jaws of Life always draws interest because of their capabilities. The battery operated hydraulic tools are about the size of a leaf blower, but they’re working with 147,000 pounds of pressure. 

Cooley said the spreader, which resembles an oversized pair of needle nose pliers, can rip a car door off. The cutters can cut through a car’s roof. 

However, the tool of the day was a firefighter’s ax, except it was made of balloons by a balloon artist.

While most calls come into Station 11 via the 911 call center, Wren said Van Hook and McCollough walking up to the Myakka Station is not unusual. That particular station receives more walk-up and drive-up calls than other stations in the district. 

So EMFR planned accordingly and threw a grand opening to welcome everyone in the community, including local businesses.

Myakka City’s Silver Star Restaurant served burgers. Dakin Dairy poured chocolate milk, and the Florida AG experience brought calves to cuddle. 

Photo by Lesley Dwyer

Taylor and Andrew HIll brought their 2-year-old Braden to the celebration because they live nearby. It was the family’s first visit to the station. 

Braden had a minion painted on his forehead before he went bouncing in the miniature, inflatable fire station, which was on loan from the Parrish Fire District. He also left with a goody bag stuffed with a commemorative Station 11 coin, an EMFR T-shirt and fidget toys. 

“We’re a growing county, we need top notch facilities,” Commissioner Jason Bearden said. “A station like this brings a sense of pride to the community, as well.”