Arkansas City residents will have a chance Monday evening to help shape the future of the city’s fire and emergency services.
City officials say the current fire station — a former military armory that has housed the department for decades — no longer meets the health, safety and operational needs of a modern Fire/EMS facility.
Arkansas City Fire/EMS will host an open house at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the current station, 115 S. D St., where residents can tour the building, view plans for a new facility and offer feedback on potential locations.
The department has operated from the D Street station since the 1980s. While the building has served as the base for generations of firefighters and thousands of emergency responses, it was never designed to support modern fire and EMS operations.
Over time, the facility has developed infrastructure challenges that affect daily operations. The kitchen is no longer functional, air quality in the sleeping quarters does not meet current expectations for firefighter health and safety, and limited space restricts equipment storage, training capabilities and future expansion.
“We are proud of what our crews have accomplished from this building,” Fire Chief Stuart Cassaboom said. “But our responsibility is to ensure they have a safe, efficient space that supports rapid response and protects their health during 24-hour shifts. Planning now ensures we are ready for the next 30 to 40 years.”
City leaders say constructing a new fire station has emerged as the most responsible long-term solution.
Two potential sites are currently under consideration.
One option is at East Poplar Street and J Street, near the U.S. 77 bypass and within the Poplar Walking Trail area. Officials say the location would provide direct access to the bypass, improving response times to calls across the city and to highway emergencies. The site also offers strong visibility, room for future expansion and reduced corridor congestion.
The second potential location is in the 700 block of East Kansas Avenue, near Arkansas City Middle School and the Arkansas City Greenhouse. Situated along a primary east-west corridor, the site would provide convenient access to established neighborhoods and nearby schools while placing emergency services in a central residential area.
“Both locations offer meaningful advantages,” Cassaboom said. “Our goal is to choose a site that best supports response times, long-term growth and connection to the community we serve. That’s why public input is so important.” Continue story below ad.
During the open house, residents will be able to tour the current station, view renderings of a proposed facility, learn about funding considerations and speak directly with department leadership.
A community survey is also available to gather feedback on the proposed locations. Residents can complete the survey through the City of Arkansas City website at arkcity.org, or fill out a paper copy during the open house.
“This decision impacts our entire community,” Cassaboom said. “We want residents to understand the need, see the options and help guide the path forward.”
