In a unanimous decision, the Amarillo City Council approved the construction of a brand-new, state-of-the-art fire station in one of the city's most underserved areas. The new Fire Station 14 will be located in the hospital district at 810 Quail Creek Drive and comes with a price tag of nearly $7.5 million. It’s a significant investment, but one that city leaders say is necessary as Amarillo continues to grow—and as the safety of residents remains a top priority.
Closing the Gap in Emergency Response
Currently, the hospital district and surrounding neighborhoods are served by Fire Station 11 and Fire Station 8, neither of which is located nearby. This geographical gap results in longer response times, something the new station will directly address.
“The hospital district, of course, is on the northwest side of town, so the northwest side of town doesn’t have a fire station over there currently,” said Jerry Danforth, managing director of capital projects for the City of Amarillo. “It’s serviced out of Fire Station 11 and Fire Station 8, so the response times are going to be reduced rather dramatically. But it also allows support for the hospital district itself, as well as the neighborhoods.”
By placing Fire Station 14 in Quail Creek, the city will dramatically cut response times for critical emergencies. This is especially important in an area that includes major healthcare facilities, residential neighborhoods, and areas earmarked for future development.
Designed for Today—and Tomorrow
The station will be a two-story facility encompassing nearly 19,000 square feet, including space for department-wide training and conferences. According to Danforth, this addition is more than just a fire station—it’s a long-term investment in the city’s emergency infrastructure.
“This was an underserved area, which is why it was such a high priority. And then as that has developed, even with the addition of the loop, we anticipate additional growth in that area, so this Fire Station 14 will service this area,” he explained.
In other words, this new station isn’t just solving today’s problem; it’s planning ahead for tomorrow’s growth.
A City Growing with Its Residents
Amarillo is a city on the rise, and the council’s investment in public safety reflects a proactive approach to city planning. With the population already exceeding 200,000, officials are looking ahead to what services will be needed as Amarillo edges toward 250,000.
“Grateful to have Fire Station 14. We’re not having conversations about Fire Station 15 yet, but if you look at Amarillo, well over 200,000 people, and as we head towards 220,000, 250,000 people, we need to continue to prioritize our first responders and public safety to back our local heroes and to know how to grow with them,” said Mayor Cole Stanley.
It’s a realistic and responsible mindset—acknowledging that with more people comes greater responsibility to ensure their safety and well-being.
Community and Department Support
The Amarillo Fire Department is also preparing for this expansion. Staffing efforts are already underway so the station can be operational as soon as construction is complete.
“The Amarillo Fire Department greatly appreciates the support of city council and city leadership,” said Jeff Harbin, AFD Deputy Chief of Community Risk Reduction. “It is a privilege and honor to serve a community that believes in and provides the resources necessary to support our mission of protecting those we serve.”
This mutual trust between the city, its leadership, and its first responders is a cornerstone of effective public service.
Funding and Timeline
The estimated $7.5 million required for the project will come from the city's general fund, something city leaders have been budgeting for over the past two years. Groundbreaking is expected within the next 30 days, with construction slated to take approximately 13 to 14 months, depending on weather conditions.
Final Thoughts
Common sense often means putting safety, infrastructure, and foresight at the top of the priority list—and that's exactly what Amarillo's city leadership is doing with Fire Station 14. It’s a strategic, data-driven investment that directly benefits public safety while supporting the city’s continued growth.
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