(Feb. 24, 2025) The Ocean Pines Association and the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department have made significant progress in the development of a new South Fire Station, with plans advancing toward a referendum vote this summer.
During a recent update, OPA General Manager John Viola, along with OPVFD President Joe Enste and Fire Chief Joey Widgeon, detailed the project’s pre-planning efforts, funding sources, and next steps.
The current proposal calls for a 15,370-square-foot facility, down from the original 19,100-square-foot concept, but with an additional 760 square feet added to enhance functionality. The work group, which includes OPA officials, fire department leadership, and designers, determined that the added space was necessary to improve accessibility and operational efficiency.
“The work group truly believes that this additional square footage is necessary, and we’re all in agreement on that,” Viola said. “This has been a team effort, and I believe everybody is on the same page.”
Funding and Pre-Planning
The project is backed by $1.7 million in secured grants and bonds, with $1.3 million already in a dedicated account, Enste said. Additionally, OPVFD has raised $750,000 through fundraising and savings.
Enste said the department has carefully evaluated interior fit-out costs, compliance with National Fire Protection Association standards, and transition costs to ensure the project meets both current and future needs.
“With this being a firehouse, there are certain NFPA standards we must meet, including wind ratings and structural integrity to ensure it remains operational during catastrophic events,” he said.
The department has also confirmed pricing for critical systems such as fire suppression, vehicle exhaust extraction, and station alerting. The vehicle exhaust extraction system will significantly improve air quality in the station by filtering harmful gases produced by emergency vehicles.
“The current system allows exhaust fumes to spread throughout the engine bay, which isn’t ideal for our firefighters’ health,” Enste said. “The new system will eliminate that issue.”
Transition Plan and Next Steps
During construction, OPVFD’s career crew will temporarily relocate to the North Station, eliminating the need for costly temporary facilities. To support volunteer operations, OPA Public Works will provide access to garages and additional space, ensuring seamless continuity of service.
OPVFD officials said these strategic adjustments will maintain full emergency response capabilities, guaranteeing uninterrupted protection for the community.
“We determined that moving to the North Station made the most financial sense,” Widgeon said. “We couldn’t justify spending nearly $140,000 on temporary trailers when we have existing living quarters available.”
OPA and OPVFD have engaged an architect to finalize project plans. Key upcoming milestones include:
• Receiving initial architectural drawings by Feb. 28, 2025
• Finalizing architectural plans by April 2025
• Determining funding options and seeking Board approval for a referendum vote
The referendum, set to coincide with the summer 2025 Board of Directors election, will allow Ocean Pines homeowners to vote on funding the new station. If approved, construction is expected to begin in October 2025, with completion estimated for February 2027.
Viola said the work group followed a similar planning process as past successful OPA projects, including the Golf Clubhouse and Police Station expansion.
“This has been a constructive and productive team effort, with careful consideration given to every dollar spent,” Viola said. “So far, we’ve identified nearly $200,000 in savings compared to our initial estimates, which is a testament to the diligent work of this group.”
