Forsyth County Fire Department will host a hose uncoupling ceremony to mark the grand opening of the new Fire Station 9 (8420 McBride Ln.), officially replacing the previous facility located on Browns Bridge Road. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12.

Construction of the new Station 9 was funded by the voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) VI and VIII programs as well as impact fees.

The completed replacement station, which broke ground in late 2022, is a 12,500 square foot, four-bay station, accommodating the personnel and equipment operating out of the facility and future growth. The station houses Engine 9, Tanker 9, Dive 9 and Marine 9 with intent to house a fire boat as well in 2025. The station’s design is based on a standard template for the County fire stations that has been improved over the years with Fire Station 11 being the primary model.

“The residents of the Lake Lanier area have patiently waited with us for this much-needed update in facilities,” said Forsyth County Fire Chief Barry Head. “The Department is excited to share this moment with the community as we take another step forward in providing the best care for Forsyth County.”

The original Fire Station 9 was built in 1989 by volunteers. The two-bay station has had several repairs over time in order to remain operational until the replacement station could be built.

The construction cost of the project is approximately $7 million. The general contractor for the station is Kevin Price Construction. The architect for the project is Croft and Associates.