Pontiac Fire breaks ground on west side substation

Officials break ground on the new Pontiac Fire substation in Pontiac Tuesday morning, Todd Lowery photo.

The Pontiac Fire Department officially broke ground on the new west side substation Tuesday morning.

The new facility is expected to improve emergency medical response times, enhance operational efficiency and better serve Pontiac residents in the future.

Financial support came from the Apollos Camp and Humiston Trust Board with a $1.5 million contribution and $500,000 was secured in Congressional Community Project Funding while the Pontiac Foreign Fire Tax Board contributed $50,000.

USDA Rural Development assisted with grant administration and support was provided by Farnsworth Group, Building Systems of Illinois, the City of Pontiac, Pontiac Rural Fire Protection District and many community partners, leaders and citizens.

In an online post Tuesday, the Pontiac Fire Department said the project represents the realization of a vision that began more than 50 years ago.

Tuesday's groundbreaking for the new Pontiac Fire Department substation, Todd Lowery photo.