Fire Station 4 aka “The Lavilla Brickhouse,” opened in 1924 on Adams Street. According to District Chief Dick Lundy of the station, this location is one of the busiest in the state.
“I’ve always worked in the busier stations and this one is by far one of the busiest,” Lundy says.
A major reason for the high level of activity is the station is home to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Special Operations Team. The team is made up of employees from station 4 and station 13 in Riverside. The Special Operations Team is trained in emergencies such as building collapse, trench entrapment and anti-terror response. Lundy says his ties to this particular location are deeply rooted.
“My father worked here and I came here often when I was a kid,” Lundy says.
“But it’s more than just that. This station has so much character because of the people here and the history.”