Kearney moves forward with plans for new fire station in northeast part of city

KEARNEY, Neb. — The City of Kearney is moving ahead with construction of a new fire station aimed at improving emergency response times in the city’s growing northeast corridor.

City Council this week approved funding for the project and selected MLC construction as construction manager, which marks the official start of a plan that’s been years in the making.

Kearney's Fire Administrator Jason Whalen said the department’s main goal is public safety.

“Our priority is life safety,” said Kearney's Fire Administrator Jason Whalen. “The town is growing to the northeast, and this station will help us reduce response times in that area and increase public safety.”

Currently response times to parts of northeast Kearney can reach around ten minutes, which is almost double the department’s six-minute goal.

Whalen said the new station will also help bring Kearney closer to national coverage standards, which could lead to lower insurance rates for residents and businesses.

“We’ve finally got approval for the funding, and now we can really get the project moving forward," said Whalen.

Construction is expected to take about two years, with the station slated to open by mid-2027.

While no major staffing increases are initially planned, the department may add personnel as the city continues to grow.