The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has approved the location of the new Philomont Fire and Rescue Station replacement project. During the Board’s April 10, 2024, public hearing, the Board unanimously approved the special exceptions for land use permits to build a new fire station on a seven-acre property that is owned by the Philomont Volunteer Fire Department. The new site is located on Snickersville Turnpike, just south of the existing fire station.
In addition, during its April 16, 2024, business meeting, the Board voted to end any further analysis of three potential properties for the station that were brought forward by the public.
“This was a difficult decision that took listening to various voices with differing points of view over an extended span of time,” said Chair At-Large Phyllis J. Randall. “We worked hard to consider all of the options that would balance the needs of the community, costs, public safety response times and other important factors that informed what the Board believed is the best decision possible under the circumstances.”
The Board’s actions over the past two weeks to finalize the location of the new fire station follow several years of evaluating the options and considering public input regarding the best location within the Philomont service area. The project replaces the existing station that was constructed in 1956 and modified in 1975 and 1994. The county conducted a feasibility study in 2021 to determine the need for a replacement station, which highlighted several options, such as renovating the existing fire station and building a new station on the existing site. After receiving feedback from members of the community, a second feasibility study was conducted in 2023, which evaluated additional options. The public process over the past four years included ongoing dialogue with stakeholders, guided tours of the current station, several community meetings, and public meetings with the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.
“I am thankful for the many differing viewpoints that the residents of Philomont have communicated to me this year since Philomont became a part of Catoctin District; the input helped me to thoroughly evaluate all the factors that went into this decision and allowed additional review of three other parcels,” said Catoctin District Supervisor Caleb A. Kershner. “This was an extremely difficult decision given the clear need for new Fire and Rescue facilities in Philomont and the community affinity for the former horse show grounds. It is my hope that the horse show grounds could be established in another Philomont location to continue the tradition. In the end, I believe this is the best location for our public safety needs.”
About the New Philomont Fire and Rescue Station
The new station for the Philomont Volunteer Fire Department will be constructed at 37180 Snickersville Turnpike, which is the site previously used as training grounds and the former site for horse shows. This site meets the current needs of the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System, which included consideration of a location that allows for optimal response times within the service area and can accommodate the new facility.
This project will construct a new 18,800-square-foot fire station in the Village of Philomont to replace the existing Philomont Volunteer Fire Department Station 8. The new facility will include apparatus bays, bunkroom facilities, a training/break room, restrooms, showers, food preparation and dining areas, laundry and decontamination areas, supply storage, and a gear and hose drying area. It will also include a breathing apparatus air compressor room, a fitness room, offices, and a repair shop.
The design of the new facility is expected to be complete in the spring of 2025. Construction of the station is expected to begin by the end of 2025, with the new facility to be completed and open in 2027.
More Information
For more information about the Philomont Fire and Rescue Station project, including a link to sign up for email and text updates about the project, visit loudoun.gov/philomontstation.
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