Apex growing population causes fire service concerns
APEX, N.C. (WTVD) -- The town whose motto is "The Peak of Good Living" is dealing with growing pains.
Nearly 40,000 people now reside in Apex compared to more than 20,000 residents in 2000.
Now, the services they depend on are trying to catch up.
"We know our town is growing, and we know we need to make sure our citizens are taken care of," said Apex Town Council Member Denise Wilkie.
Apex Fire Chief Mark Haraway addressed concerns at a meeting with council members Tuesday night on the future of the town's fire services.
Haraway called for more resources and more manpower to better protect the growing population, particularly in southwest Apex which has experienced the highest amount of growth.
Town leaders agree there is a need.
"The ideal distance is about a mile and a half, and that station needs to be in the center of the circle. Once you reach a certain number of households outside that circle, you need to think about building another station in the area," said Apex Town Manager Bruce Radford.
Plans to add a fifth fire station are already in the design phase.
The town purchased a 3-acre parcel of land near Kelly Road and Olive Chapel Road that will eventually house fire, police and EMS services.
Radford says it could open as soon as next year.
The entire project is estimated to cost around $4 million, though money for a new fire engine and a dozen firefighters required to run it has not yet been earmarked.
"Right now we have three people on every truck. There is a standard that says you need two in and two out, and we don't meet the two in and two out standard, but, at the same time, we've not had any serious structure fires that we weren't able to put out," said Radford.
He said safety is the town's top priority and assured fire services would not be stunted as Apex continues to grow.
"People want to live in Apex, and it's our job to provide the highest possible level of service that we can. Fire service is one of those," said Radford.
