Founded as a volunteer force in 1884 with its first paid crew of six in 1915, the City of Suffolk Department of Fire & Rescue (SFR) has grown into a modern, full-time professional department of more than 300 firefighters, paramedics, officers, and support staff. Today, the team responds to over 19,000 calls annually, providing fire suppression, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, advanced life support medical services, marine incident response, and fire prevention programs to protect more than 97,000 residents.
In July 2025, Suffolk celebrated the opening of its newest station, Fire Station 11, a 22,000 SF essential facility designed to enhance emergency response in the city’s growing northern region. According to the Suffolk News-Herald, the new station is expected to reduce response times from 11 minutes to just 6 minutes, marking a critical improvement for the community.
The need for Station 11 was first identified in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan, with design beginning in 2020. Completed on time and under budget, the project also created opportunities to expand the department’s workforce. Thirty-six new personnel were hired, and once fully staffed, Station 11 will be home to a team of 45 firefighters, officers, and paramedics.
Located on a 5.26-acre parcel along Hampton Roads Parkway in the Harbour View Community, Fire Station 11 was designed to meet strict mission-critical and life safety standards. The facility features four apparatus bays, as well as additional bunk rooms to support long-term growth. Site planning prioritized direct access to Hampton Roads Parkway, with a new signalized intersection aligned with an existing median break to ensure quick and safe deployment of emergency vehicles.
The building includes a large training and community room that will serve as both a classroom for firefighters and a venue for local civic meetings and events. Attached is a three-story tactical training tower that provides firefighters with the ability to conduct on-site simulated multi-story drills. The apparatus bays also integrate specialized training props that allow crews to practice ladder climbs, manhole rescues, and vertical rappelling scenarios.
RRMM Architects led the architectural design, while Timmons Group provided civil engineering services, including site planning, stormwater management, utility coordination, and traffic signalization. Our team’s early involvement helped integrate operational considerations into the site, ensuring the station functions seamlessly to support rapid emergency response.
Fire Station 11 not only expands Suffolk’s emergency response capacity but also enhances the well-being of the firefighters who serve the community. This new facility represents Suffolk’s ongoing investment in public safety and its commitment to ensuring reliable, rapid response for the residents of Suffolk and the broader Hampton Roads region.
For Timmons Group, this project reflects our long-standing partnership with state and local governments to strengthen public safety infrastructure. With over 70 years of experience, we have helped municipalities deliver essential facilities that balance operational needs with community priorities, from fire stations and police headquarters to regional training campuses.
As communities continue to grow, so does the demand for facilities that safeguard public health and safety. Timmons Group is dedicated to helping municipalities plan and design mission-critical infrastructure that supports first responders and enhances resiliency. Our approach encompasses environmentally responsible site design, operational efficiency, and cost sensitivity, enabling us to meet today’s urgent needs while planning for tomorrow’s challenges.
By integrating thoughtful planning and a deep understanding of government operations, we continue to partner with clients like the City of Suffolk to deliver projects that not only serve their immediate mission but also ensure long-term value for the communities they protect.
Click here to learn more about our experience assisting state and local government clients in meeting their conceptual planning and site development needs.
