Bryan County’s newest fire station will serve the rural area that encompasses a 5-mile radius around the station, Jim Anderson, director of the county Office of Emergency Services, said Monday.

That was the day Station 9 officially opened at 44954 Belfast River Road, about 10 miles south of Richmond Hill City Hall.

“It’s a rural area with some subdivisions,” said Anderson, adding that the fire stations on Hwy. 144 near the Bryan County Administrative Complex and on Daniel Siding Loop Road previously provided fire protection for this part of the county.

He said the new station includes the office of one of the county fire department’s assistant chiefs and that, on a typical day, the overall facility will be manned by one to two paid employees who will be backed up by volunteer personnel.

For more, pick up a copy of the March 2 edition of the News.