Cordova could lose fire station on Trinity, some fear

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Parts of Cordova may soon be without a fire station after plans were announced to close one down, less than four years after the county invested millions to build a new station.

Come this Fall, Shelby County Fire Station 65 off Trinity Road in south Cordova may be no more, according to the Shelby County Fire Fighters Association.

Welsey Carpenter, the president of the Shelby County Firefighter’s Association, says this is a disservice to residents.

Carpenter says the location was supposed to be temporary until a new station was built.

“We were really looking forward to having two new stations built, but now it’s reversed and we’re doing just the opposite,” he said.

It’s a promise Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris made back in 2021 when he announced the county would invest $32 million into the Shelby County Fire Department over six years.

The multimillion-dollar budget included two new fire stations — one in Southeast Shelby County and the other in South Cordova.

“We’ve already invested time and money. We’ve got the land. Invested in equipment and manpower. So, why are we now cutting that plan?” Carpenter asked.

Carpenter says instead of building a new station in Cordova, the county is considering abandoning that idea and closing Station 65.

“Currently, there’s a plan to not build this station and to reallocate manpower and equipment to either Memphis stations or other parts of unincorporated Shelby County,” he said.

Carpenter says this station has one of the highest call volumes in unincorporated Shelby County. He says it’s unclear who would be servicing that area.

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“We just want the citizens to be aware of where their fire fees are going as far as the coverage, manpower, and their fire protection,” he said.

South Cordova and the Southwind area of southeast Shelby County were deannexed from the city of Memphis in 2021.

“These citizens asked to be de-annexed, and now they’re potentially going to have Memphis providing their fire services,” he said.

We reached out to Shelby County government for a statement. A spokesperson says the plan for a new fire station in the de-annexed area is still on the table.

“Shelby County Government is continuously evaluating the way to best serve all residents, including in the deannexed areas of Bridgewater, South Cordova, and Rocky Point. We are currently weighing all options for fire service in the deannexed areas of Cordova that are cost effective to taxpayers and boast quick response times,” said Kelly Roberts, Strategic Communications Manager and PIO.

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