Fire headquarters: $5.6 million
Police headquarters: $5 million
By the numbers Sumter Police Department
110 officers 68 civilian staff including dispatchers
36,000- square-foot headquarters
4 divisions 17 units 100+ vehicles
Sumter Fire Department
109 career firefighters 3 civilian staff 200 volunteer firefighters 32 support personnel 21,600- square-foot headquarters
21 stations 25 fire engines 17 tankers 18 brush trucks 7 service trucks
"It's a great thing for public safety," Sumter Police Chief Russell Roark III said. The selection of the Public Safety Complex for the penny sales tax demonstrates the partnership between the community and elected leadership to pick certain projects that have an effect on all of Sumter, he said. Roark said the location and investment the community made in the area will only spawn growth throughout this area.
“It’s greatly appreciated,” said Sumter Fire Chief Karl Ford about the new headquarters. “We’re very honored to have it.” The department actually outgrew the old building, he said, and there is room for growth at the new one. Ford said the department is thankful the community is also enjoying the new building, which they helped fund. Everybody shares in the cost of penny projects, he said, even people who are visiting when they shop in Sumter.
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