Fort Myers Beach Fire Chief Scott Wirth. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
The new Fort Myers Beach Fire Station 31 is set to open on Thursday with a grand opening ceremony and open house.
The new station at 2545 Estero Boulevard replaces the one at Donora Boulevard and Estero Boulevard that was damaged by Hurricane Ian. That building served the department for about 70 years. That property was sold in 2024.
Thursday’s ceremony will begin at 9:15 a.m. and will be followed by an open house, public tours and light refreshments.
The new fire station, which is costing approximately $12 million to construct (after $435,000 in architecture fees and $148,000 for engineering), will be able to house the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District’s ladder truck and primary ambulance. The station will also be home to firefighters working 24-hour shifts.
The new station is built to withstand winds of up to 200 miles per hour.
The plans for the newest station go back six years to when the district acquired the property on the former Topps lot at 2545 and 2555 Estero Boulevard for $3.99 million in January of 2020, next to the former Town Hall.
Fort Myers Beach Fire Chief Scott Wirth leads a department that includes 36 firefighters and 16 administrative support staff. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
“The Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District welcomes all community members April 2 as we embark on a new chapter for the fire district and for the Fort Myers Beach community we serve,” Fort Myers Beach Fire Chief Scott Wirth said.
To reach Nathan Mayberg, please email nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com