Station 48 was originally constructed in 1978, when Jacksonville’s population was just over 550,000. Today, the population has nearly doubled. The surrounding Heckscher Drive corridor and Blount Island Marine Terminal have experienced significant growth, creating greater demands on JFRD.
As the city and its maritime economy expanded, so did Station 48’s mission. What began with a single fire engine eventually grew to include a tanker and a 39-foot fireboat. But with only 1,700 square feet, the current facility no longer meets the operational needs of Jacksonville’s growing footprint in the port area.
“What you see here is the result of strong partnerships and shared priorities.” said Fire Chief Percy Golden. “JAXPORT, the Department of Defense, and JFRD came together with one goal. To strengthen public safety in a critical part of our city.”
The new station will be located outside the security gates of the Jacksonville Port Authority’s Blount Island terminal. This location allows JFRD personnel to bypass security checkpoints when every second counts, improving access to both the terminal and nearby neighborhoods along Heckscher Drive.
The project also includes a new dock that will house the fire boat on site, enabling faster response to maritime emergencies.
JFRD works closely with its military and port partners through joint training and mutual aid agreements. This new facility expands on these partnerships and supports public safety efforts in one of Jacksonville’s most vital economic areas.
Construction is now underway, and the new station is expected to be completed in 2026.
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JFRD Breaks Ground on New Station 48 at Blount Island
August 11, 2025
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD), in partnership with the Jacksonville Port Authority and the Department of Defense, has officially broken ground on a new, state-of-the-art facility for Fire Station 48. The groundbreaking marks the culmination of 18 months of planning, coordination and interagency collaboration.