TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Fire Rescue’s need for new and modernized stations has been discussed by city leaders for several years.

Now, council members said they’re hopeful the key players making that a reality are all on the same page.

A lot has changed in Tampa since 1914. One thing that hasn’t: Fire Station 6 still sits on South 22nd Street.

“That’s when it was fire department, and now we’ve become fire rescue, so many more resources,” said Tampa Fire Rescue Chief Barbara Tripp. “So, it’s great to hear that City Council supports the changes.”

Tampa City Council approved asking administration to present a reimbursement resolution next month for costs related to building a new fire station in North Tampa and refurbishing stations 6, 9 and 10.

They’re the kind of projects the union has wanted for several years.

“The growth in the city is outpacing the growth of the infrastructure,” said Nick Stocco, Tampa Firefighters Local 754 President. “We see it in the Pipes Program. We see it with mobility and traffic. The same needs to happen with the public safety and fire rescue.”

Tripp says the modernization of stations is key to providing the best services to the public and firefighters.

“Station 6 is our hazmat station, and right now, it doesn’t have a rescue car,” she said. “So, I want to put a rescue car there. I also want to put an appropriate DeCon (decontamination procedures) and all the resources that it needs to operate appropriately.”

Council members remarked that while such projects have been talked about for years, this seems to be the first time city, fire and union leaders all seem to be on the same page.

“It looks like we’re finally aligning all of the goals and concerns with regards to fire station facilities, at least for the immediate near future,” Stocco said. “So, we’re happy to hear that.”

The projects are expected to be discussed at the Jan. 11 meeting.