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Harford County officials break ground on a new Special Operations station in Hickory that will centralize emergency response equipment, operations, and offices currently spread across three leased sites in Forest Hill. (Harford County)
Harford breaks ground on special operations building
Listen to this articleHarford County has broken ground on an emergency services special operations facility, county officials announced Friday.
The new building, located in the small town of Hickory – which is just north of Bel Air — will centralize all emergency response equipment, operations and offices, according to a release. The new site consolidates emergency response operations currently spread across three leased sites in Forest Hill to the Department of Emergency Services property located on Ady Road.
Upon completion, Harford’s Special Ops Station 15 will be a 16,200-square-foot facility made to accommodate the county’s special operations team, improve efficiency and expand training capabilities, county officials said. Additionally, the building will house special operations apparatus and rescue equipment, dedicated storage areas for hazardous materials, a decontamination room and other amenities.
“This new facility will bring critical equipment, specialized resources, and emergency personnel together under one roof to strengthen our response capabilities, improve coordination and ensure our first responders have the support and tools necessary to serve our communities in those critical moments,” Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly said in a statement.
EMS clinicians and their medic unit stationed at the Department of Emergency Services will relocate to the new special operations building, county officials confirmed, saying that construction is slated for completion within 10 to 12 months.
In addition, office space will be designated in the facility for special operations leadership along with a meeting room with capacity for up to 40 people, bunk rooms for EMS crews and special operations technicians.
