PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – A year after announcing plans to improve public safety, Pigeon Forge is on track to open its new $20 million fire station, set to enhance both firefighter safety and community service. Construction is progressing on schedule, with the new facility expected to open in the coming months, marking a major milestone for the city.
The new fire station, which replaces a 1991 building originally designed for a volunteer fire department, is a long-awaited upgrade. Chief Tony Watson described the project as an essential step toward modernizing Pigeon Forge’s public safety infrastructure and preparing it for future growth. “When you walk through this front door, this beautiful facility, it’s… state-of-the-art. It’s going to serve our community better,” Watson said during a tour of the building.
The station is designed with cutting-edge technology that will assist firefighters in preparing for emergencies before they even arrive at the scene. “What bedrooms are you sleeping in? Where’s your loved one at? Do you have special needs?” Watson explained. These are just some of the details firefighters will be able to access through new technology, allowing them to respond more efficiently and effectively to house fires.
One of the standout features of the new facility is its expanded training space. The building includes a large training room that doubles as an Emergency Operations Center (EOS), providing ample room for firefighters, administrative staff, and equipment. The facility also boasts a training tower specifically designed to simulate a hotel stairwell, offering firefighters a chance to train for the unique challenges they may face in multi-story buildings—something critical given Pigeon Forge’s booming tourism industry.
“The training tower gives us the ability to train our firefighters in a way that mimics what it would be like in a multi-story building,” Watson said. “We can create smoke conditions and exhaust it, allowing us to simulate real-world firefighting scenarios without actually setting fires.”
The new fire station is just one part of a broader effort by the city to modernize its public safety infrastructure. The State of the City Address, scheduled for Monday, will provide further details on upcoming technology upgrades and other key initiatives. During the address, Watson is expected to share more information on the city’s public safety plans, along with a report on the success of Pigeon Forge’s tourism efforts over the past year.
With the new fire station set to open soon, Pigeon Forge is poised to continue its commitment to safety and service, ensuring that both residents and visitors are well-protected for years to come.
