During two one-hour sessions on different nights last week Fire Department officials heard from about 15 people living near a site for the possible relocation of Fire Station No. 2.

Most of those attending were there for information but also had some concerns about building a firehouse in their neighborhood.

Fire officials had sent about 250 letters to people living in the area of Fountain Hills and Shea boulevards asking for input on the site on the west side of Fountain Hills Boulevard between Shea Boulevard and Pinto Drive.

It is directly across from Muskrat Drive.

A second potential location is on Shea Boulevard just east of Palisades Boulevard.

While Fire Chief Randy Roberts said that either site will work and that no decision has been made, fire officials have made known their clear preference is for the Fountain Hills Boulevard location. Ultimately the Town Council will decide where to put the station.

Two main concerns brought up at the meetings were potential impact on property values and traffic safety.

Those with property concerns say the noise of emergency vehicles in the neighborhood and radio chatter would negatively impact their homes’ values.

Roberts said the department makes every effort to be good neighbors by avoiding siren use in the overnight hours and there are no longer exterior radio speakers at the fire stations.

“We want to blend into the neighborhood,” Roberts said.

He said trucks only use lights and sirens when absolutely necessary to get the right-of-way from other drivers. He also noted there are laws firefighters must comply with regarding the use of emergency lights, horns and sirens.

Roberts said the department has had only one complaint from a nearby resident since incorporation, and that was unrelated to station operation. It had to do with equipment stored on the fire station property by the town.

Those with traffic concerns believe there are safety issues with the site on Fountain Hills Boulevard due to speed, line of sight and a change from two to four lanes as the street approaches Shea Boulevard.

The neighbors urged a traffic study and Roberts said there will need to be an evaluation to determine whether an emergency traffic signal is needed at the location. He said engineering staff does not believe a signal will be needed on Fountain Hills Boulevard, but the proposed Shea site will almost certainly require one.

Roberts said the department is looking to relocate Fire Station No. 2 to correct an issue with response time shortfall. The Rural/Metro contract with the town requires response to emergency calls to be within five minutes 90 percent of the time. The department is falling below that standard.

He noted that computer simulation has identified a relatively small envelope of area around Fountain Hills and Shea boulevards for placing a station to correct the response shortfall.

Roberts said he will prepare a report for the Town Council outlining the citizen concerns raised at the two meetings.