Wake County and Fuquay-Varina Finalize Long-Term EMS Use of Fire Station 4
Wake County EMS will operate from the station for a term of 40 years. The county will not pay rent but will annually contribute 19% of the building’s operational and maintenance costs.
Fuquay-Varina, NC, Jul. 10, 2025 — A new long-term partnership between Wake County and the Town of Fuquay-Varina is now in place, solidifying shared use of Fire Station 4 and ensuring enhanced emergency services in southern Wake County for decades to come.
The facility, located at 4821 Wade Nash Road, officially opened in early 2024. It houses both the Fuquay-Varina Fire Department and Wake County Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The design supports co-location while providing distinct, functional spaces for each agency.
Under a shared-use agreement, Wake County EMS will operate from the station for a term of 40 years. The county will not pay rent but will annually contribute 19% of the building’s operational and maintenance costs, reflecting its share of occupied square footage.
Construction Funding and Cost-Sharing
The original construction project was made possible through a joint funding structure outlined in a formal Interlocal Agreement in 2022. The total development cost of the station was approximately $9.0 million. Of that, Wake County EMS’s portion totaled $1,706,210, which the county agreed to reimburse the town in a single lump-sum payment upon project completion.
An additional $2.6 million, approximately 25% of the fire-related construction and furnishing costs, is being repaid to the town over 20 years through the Wake County Fire Tax Capital Improvement Program. The Town of Fuquay-Varina financed the full cost of construction through local revenues and debt, serving as the lead agency for project design, permitting, and construction management.
Wake County EMS also directly provided and retained ownership of all EMS-specific furniture and equipment for use within the station.
A Strategic Investment in Growth
Designed by Davis Kane Architects and built by Bobbitt, the facility features three drive-through bays, dedicated quarters for fire and EMS staff, a decontamination building, fitness space, and shared training and meeting rooms. Its location was chosen to improve response times in growing parts of the community.
According to town and county officials, the station exemplifies regional collaboration and smart infrastructure planning, investing today to meet tomorrow's service demands.
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