After sitting vacant for more than a decade, the former Pedro Volunteer Fire Station #23 at 16500 S. Highway 475 has been given a new mission of service to the community.
The building, once home to the Pedro Volunteer Fire Department, will now serve as the headquarters for the all-volunteer Marion County Search and Rescue Team, continuing the facility’s long tradition of supporting volunteer emergency responders.
The new location will provide a centralized base for the organization’s equipment, training, emergency response coordination, and volunteer operations. By housing all of the team’s specialized equipment in one location, the move is expected to significantly reduce response times when volunteers are called to assist with search and rescue missions, natural disasters, and other emergencies throughout Marion County.
The transition marks a fitting continuation of the building’s legacy, from one volunteer emergency service organization to another. Both the former Pedro Volunteer Fire Department and the Marion County Search and Rescue Team are built on the dedication of volunteers who donate their time and skills to protect and serve their community.
“This new base station represents more than just a building,” said Marion County Search and Rescue Team Director Frank Marino. “It represents our dedication to preparedness, teamwork, and service.”
Marino also expressed his gratitude to the community, fellow volunteers, and local leaders whose support helped make the new headquarters a reality.
As the Marion County Search and Rescue Team settles into its new home, the former volunteer fire station once again becomes a place where neighbors answer the call to help neighbors, ensuring the spirit of volunteer service continues for years to come.
