Construction is moving ahead on the new Morristown Fire Department (MFD) Station 3, located on Thompson Creek Road, as the year 2025 nears. This new station will replace the existing Station 3 on U.S. 11E/East Andrew Johnson Highway and is quickly taking shape with exterior bricking, bay doors, and interior work progressing.

The new facility will cover 9,755 square feet on a 12-acre site, featuring full living quarters, four bunk rooms, three engine bays, and study areas. The relocation comes as a result of the Tennessee Department of Transportation's plan to widen U.S. Highway 11E through Hamblen County. The city carefully selected the Thompson Creek site for its accessibility, proximity to developing areas, and adequate space.

Architect Sonja Shannon designed the new fire station, and Fire Chief Clark Taylor reported that the construction is ahead of schedule. “There’s been no surprises which has been a good thing,” Taylor said. “They’re a little ahead of schedule. The contractor and architects have been awesome to work with. We have been very fortunate with working with everyone involved. If the weather holds out, they’ll be pouring concrete pretty soon. We’re looking now towards the end of February contingent on the weather.”

Beyond the building’s main functions, the new station will feature a state-of-the-art classroom and a four-story repelling training tower, addressing a critical need in the Lakeway Area. The adjacent training facility will allow MFD to hold classes and rehearsals locally, without traveling to the state facility in Bell Buckle. The original Morristown fire bell, cast in 1893, will also be displayed in the new station’s tower.

Morristown Fire Department serves a population of around 29,000 over 27.9 square miles, with an average response time under four minutes. The department consists of 85 personnel, including a 20-member hazardous materials team, CPR instructors, child seat technicians, and a State Certified Arson Investigator.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Mayor Gary Chesney highlighted Morristown’s exceptional fire rating, which leads to lower insurance premiums for residents and businesses. "If you have a 9, that’s a big red flag,” Chesney said. “There are not many communities in the state that have a level 2 fire rating. That means you’re doing a lot of things right."

Chesney emphasized the importance of the new fire station, which will provide space for training and support MFD’s efforts, including their quick response times. “When you average a little more than 300 calls a month, and you get there in four minutes, that’s not bad. A lot of people envy that." He also expressed gratitude for the department’s work: “We appreciate our fire department and the 31,000-plus citizens who are served.”