Franklin, TN - The public is invited to help celebrate the opening of new Franklin Fire Station 7 in southeast Franklin on Tuesday, June 29, 2021.  Located adjacent to the Williamson County Ag Expo Center at 1972 John Fitzgerald Drive, the event will take place from 3-5 PM.

Station 7 is the first Franklin fire station to include an ambulance wing, which was funded by Williamson County and staffed by Williamson Medical Center EMS personnel. 

The event will include a “hose-uncoupling” ceremony for the new station and a traditional “wetdown” ceremony for the apparatus.  Children and adults may help wash the trucks and place them into service.  Station tours, snow cones, plastic fire hats for children, and much more will be available. 

DATE – Tuesday, June 29, 2021

TIME – 3 – 5 PM

PLACE - Franklin Fire Station 7, 1972 John Fitzgerald Drive

PARKING – Overflow, on-street parking is available on John Fitzgerald Dr. off of Peytonsville Road, and at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center

About Station 7 

• The new station replaces temporary Franklin Fire Station 7, which was established in 2014 as an emergency measure, after a fatal gasoline tanker explosion destroyed the Goose Creek Bypass-Peytonsville Road bridge and critical access to the east side of I-65.  The temporary station consisted of a mobile home for firefighter quarters and a metal pole barn for the apparatus on the grounds of the Williamson County Ag Expo Center. 
• In January 2018, Renaissance Group, a Memphis-based architecture firm, was awarded a $244,000 contract to provide engineering and design consulting services for Station 7.  In November 2018, Southland Constructors, Inc., was awarded a $6,671,000.00 contract to construct the new station, construct the new road, which leads from the station to Peytonsville Road, and complete hillside grading to accommodate both. 
• The new road that leads to the station is named in honor of retired Franklin Fire Assistant Chief John Fitzgerald.  Chief Fitzgerald was the department’s first paid, career, African American firefighter.  He was hired in 1972, and rose through the ranks, serving in nearly every position, including Interim Fire Chief.  When Chief Fitzgerald retired in 2006, he was Battalion Chief of B-shift. 
• Chief Fitzgerald will be present for the ceremony.
• The address of the fire station, 1972 John Fitzgerald Drive, commemorates the year that Chief Fitzgerald was hired.

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