Quail Creek donates land for fire station

Residents south of the railroad tracks can now rest easier knowing that a fire station is being built east of the tracks, no longer putting them at risk for delayed emergency care if fire crews are blocked by a passing train.

Robson Communities, who own the Quail Creek development, have donated a two-acre parcel of land on Campbell Road near Quail Crossing for the new Green Valley Fire District Station 155.

“We feel that the population growth of Quail Creek necessitated a firehouse on the east side of the railroad tracks,” said Steve Soriano, Quail Creek’s community liaison. “The fire department approached us and we were happy to donate the land.”

The railroad has been a concern for residents and emergency responders for several years. While Union Pacific has worked with police to improve access and railroad schedules throughout the valley, some delays are unforeseeable, the Green Valley Fire District said in a statement.

The Quail Creek community, which has a population of about 3,000, and the surrounding neighborhoods, is the farthest east response area for the district.

Public information officer Capt. Melissa Smith said fire engines are delayed by a passing train about once per month, though fortunately none of these calls have been critical.

Ed Clarke, chairman of the Green Valley Fire Board, said the land donation has expedited the process of building the Quail Creek Station, which construction will begin on this spring.

“Several years ago, Dorn Homes donated the land for our station on Abrego and Continental, which allowed us to insure that residents on South Abrego received timely responses to their emergencies,” Clarke said in a statement.

“Our services to Quail Creek and Madera Highlands will similarly benefit when their new station is built.”

jrichardson@gvnews.com | 547-9726