As the eastern half of Limestone County continues to expand, the safety of new residents is top priority for first responders.

East Limestone Volunteer Fire Department is taking steps to increase its presence in the community with the construction of a second station. Members of the department gathered Thursday with local officials and reporters to break ground on the Capshaw Road site.

Firefighter Kasey Brown, president of the ELVFD executive board, said the new station has been two years in the making. Its construction is crucial to the department’s future as more and more rooftops are going up in their coverage area.

The site, near the intersection of Mooresville and Capshaw roads, will decrease response time in the area and lower fire insurance rates for residents as well, Brown said.

“Really, when it comes down to it, this is helping the public and saving lives … this is definitely going to save lives,” he added.

Brown said the station should be complete in the late spring or early summer. It will house two trucks, a personnel meeting area and a safe room.

A brand new fire engine — another crucial part of the ELVFD growth plan — is being built in California and will be housed at the East Limestone Road station once complete. The engine East uses now will be moved to the Capshaw Road station.

The whole project has come with a price tag between $250,000 and $300,000, Brown said.

Alabama House Speaker Mac McCutcheon and state Sen. Bill Holtzclaw attended Thursday’s ceremony and thanked the firefighters for their service to the community.

Holtzclaw said he is proud to be a part of a Legislature that can provide financial support to volunteer departments and McCutcheon said the new station is crucial to the growing neighborhoods.

“As we look at building this new station, it will be a benefit to the community and an asset to the people who live here,” he said.

County Commission Chairman Mark Yarbrough said the firefighters are true public servants and he was proud of their dedication to the job.

Brown said donations are welcome in support of the project. They can be mailed to P.O. Box 54, Capshaw, AL 35742.