CATONSVILLE, MD—Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski this week announced that Baltimore County has acquired a 6-acre parcel along Edmondson Avenue for a new, state-of-the-art Catonsville Fire Station #4.

This new station will replace the existing station built in 1928 and located at 756 Frederick Road. Plans call for the existing station to be preserved as a Baltimore County Fire Museum.

“Our first responders risk their lives every day to protect our communities, and a modern, state-of-the-art fire station is not only well-deserved but will ensure that our firefighters have the resources and facilities to serve our residents as efficiently as possible,” said County Executive Olszewski. “I thank our state and county partners for supporting this important capital investment, which will help keep Baltimore County and our region safe for years to come.”

“The replacement of the Catonsville station – our oldest career fire station – has been a priority for some time,” said Fire Chief Joanne Rund. “We need additional space in Catonsville for apparatus and our personnel. At the same time, we recognize the historic importance of the old station to the community and are excited about plans to convert it to a Fire Museum.”

The existing, nearly century old station consists of only two bays and has limited space for equipment, offices, living quarters and parking.

Purchased with $1.5 million in State funds and $500,000 in County funds, the newly acquired site at 736 Edmondson Avenue will become home to a spacious, state-of-the-art fire station to serve the Catonsville community.

Once the new station is complete, the existing Catonsville Fire Station will be preserved as a Baltimore County Fire Museum. Preliminary plans call for the museum to showcase artifacts from BCoFD’s history, which dates to the late 19th century.

The beloved Catonsville Santa House, located on the current Catonsville Fire Station site, will be maintained, ensuring continuance of this annual community tradition.

Design for the new station is underway and the County anticipates opportunities for initial community feedback on the project in December 2023.

Construction of the new station is currently expected to begin in December 2024.

Photo via Pixabay