CLAYTON — On Tuesday, the Wilson’s Mills Fire Department, alongside local civic and business leaders, broke ground to begin the development of a fire station and training center to support the expanding emergency services needs of the local community. This
endeavor was made possible by a land donation of 6.4 acres by Novo Nordisk, a leading global healthcare company that produces innovative medicines to treat diabetes and rare blood disorders with two manufacturing sites in Clayton.
“It’s an exciting day for our community,” said Bentley Powell, chief of the Wilson’s Mills Fire Department. “This land donation from Novo Nordisk will allow us to strengthen the infrastructure needed to deliver critical, potentially life-saving services to our citizens.”
The groundbreaking kicks off construction of a temporary fire station, while building of Wilson’s Mills Fire Station 3 will complete the addition. Station 3 will be approximately 10,500 square-foot facility with sleeping quarters for staff, as well as meeting rooms and offices. Also included is space to house a Johnston County Emergency Medical Services representative.
Station 3 is scheduled to house 24-hour personnel and be fully functional by 2024. Upon completion of Station 3, the temporary structure will transition to a regional training center, equipped with state-of-the-art training props, including actual vessels and piping matching those in use in the facility.
With 3,800 new homes already approved in Wilson’s Mills and a soon to be announced massive expansion of Novo-Nordisk manufacturing, the demand is already there for additional emergency services in the area.
“As an active corporate citizen of Johnston County for 30 years, Novo Nordisk understands the needs of our local community,” said Chad Henry, corporate vice president and general manager, Novo Nordisk. “With this donation, we’re helping meet the needs of our neighbors, creating efficiencies for support of local manufacturing sites, and equipping regional emergency personnel — both current and future — to become even better in their service of our community. It’s exciting to grow together.”
The temporary fire station will be operational no later than July 1, 2023. The location is off Gordon Road, near US Highway 70, providing a centralized location for Wilson’s Mills’ critical fire and emergency services needs.
The Wilson’s Mills Fire Department operates two other stations on Fire Department Road and Cleveland Road.
About Wilson’s Mills Fire Department
The Wilson’s Mills Fire/Rescue Department was chartered in 1969. The Department began services in 1973 and celebrated 50 years of service this past year. The department was founded by community member who saw the need to provide fire protection to the community.
Since the beginning, Wilson’s Mills Fire/Rescue Department has been on the forefront of service, we were among the first to begin “first responder” services. We have progressed to where we are today as a recognized Emergency Medical Technician – Basic – EMT-B provider. Wilson’s Mills has always been progressive in firefighter strategies and tactics.
We operate five Engines, one 100’ Aerial Platform, one rescue truck, one tanker, and two brush units. We are currently recognized as a Medium Duty Rescue by the NC Rescue Association and EMS. We currently hold an ISO rating of 3/9E. We were inspected in December of 2022 and our new rating of 2/9E will become effective May 1, 2023.
About Novo Nordisk
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023, Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat diabetes and other serious chronic diseases, such as obesity and rare blood and endocrine disorders. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines,
and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease.
Novo Nordisk employs about 50,800 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. In North Carolina, we invested close to $4.5 billion, and our Durham and Clayton manufacturing facilities employ nearly 1,800 professionals.
Congrats! Can’t wait to see it and utilize the training facility in the future! Doing Great Things!