ODENTON, MD — The much anticipated Waterloo Fire Station in Jessup will break ground Thursday, Aug. 29, at 10:30 a.m. at its future site. Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will be joined by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan for the ground breaking on the fire station that took six years of negotiations. The state charged the county only $1 for the land, so the $3.5 million in cost savings could be used to fund flood mitigation projects in Ellicott City.

"The new Waterloo Fire Station represents an important win-win for public safety in Howard County," Ball said in a statement. "We will be able to improve our emergency response services, while also investing in a safer future for Ellicott City." Ball thanked Hogan along with the county comptroller and treasurer for supporting the fire station project. Hogan stated that the Waterloo Fire Station is a solid example of how government entities can work together.

"Once complete, this site will be home to the first fire station in the eastern part of Howard County in 25 years, which will support vital services and improve response times to all emergencies in Waterloo, Jessup, East Columbia, and the surrounding communities," Hogan said.

The almost six-acre site at 7777 Washington Blvd. in Jessup will house the new fire station, which will be strategically located to improve response times to all emergencies in the areas of Waterloo, Jessup, East Columbia and surrounding communities. The station will accommodate both emergency medical service units and fire suppression apparatus.