A new fire station is coming to Toney after Toney Volunteer Fire & Rescue secured $1.7 million in funding through a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Community Facilities Loan program.
Department leaders announced Friday that the funding will support construction of a modern fire station designed to replace the department’s aging facility and expand emergency response capabilities in northwest Madison County.
The new station will include larger apparatus bays, upgraded training and administrative areas, and improved accommodations for volunteer firefighters as the Toney area continues to grow.
“This project represents a historic step forward for our department and our community,” Fire Chief Heath B. Jones said in a statement.
“For more than 55 years, Toney Volunteer Fire & Rescue has proudly served our citizens as a 100% volunteer organization,” Jones said. “This investment ensures that our volunteers have the facilities and resources they need to continue delivering high-quality emergency services for decades to come.”
The USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Program provides financing for essential projects in rural communities, including public safety, healthcare and infrastructure improvements.
According to the department, the loan approval reflects years of planning and preparation aimed at improving long-term emergency services in the community.
U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville), who previously served as a volunteer firefighter, praised the project and the department’s role in protecting the area.
“As a lifelong volunteer firefighter, I know the importance of volunteer departments having the tools and facilities they need to protect their communities,” Strong said. “This investment will help ensure the men and women of Toney Volunteer Fire & Rescue can continue serving the people of northwest Madison County safely and effectively as the local population continues to grow.”
Construction on the new station is expected to begin this summer, with additional project updates expected in the coming months.
Founded in 1968, Toney Volunteer Fire & Rescue has operated as a fully volunteer department for more than five decades.
