- December 15, 2025
In anticipation of a shift in Volusia County fire relations, Flagler will refurbish and inhabit Station 31 in Korona.
It will take about a month of permitting, three to four months of construction and about $400,000, but Flagler County will have a newly renovated full-service fire station: Station 31, at 5821 U.S. 1, in Korona. The station is currently run by volunteers.
“We’re going to do this with existing manpower, existing vehicles and at an existing facility,” County Administrator Craig Coffey said. “We think we can actually improve service by shifting one person and adding an additional (ambulance).”
In an April 3 presentation to the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners, Fire Rescue Chief Don Petito explained that Volusia County expects to restructure its fire service. About seven years ago, the two counties made a deal that if Volusia built a station on Old Kings Road, Flagler would buy its necessary equipment and staff it. Volusia, in turn, would man Flagler’s Station 81 in Rima Ridge and buy a doublewide motor home for firefighters.
In terms of calls, though, Petito said, Volusia had been getting the better end of the deal. In Station 81’s coverage area, Volusia workers responded to four Flagler calls last year. On Old Kings, Flagler workers responded to 400 Volusia calls in the same time period.
“Right now, we’re actually helping Volusia County probably more that we’re supposed to,” Coffey said.
It will be less fuel consumption and less wear on trucks, he said, since ambulances will now be available in Western Flagler, allowing them to respond — instead of fire engines — to medical calls, which comprise 85% of the calls in the area.
It will, however, also increase response time to Interstate 95 by about two minutes.
Flagler crews will be moved from Station 16 in Plantation Bay to Station 31, in Korona. Volusia crews from Station 16 in Halifax will continue to cover Old Kings Road South and Plantation Bay, while Flagler crews cover areas of North Volusia.
In all, the changes will mean better service to Plantation Bay, Seminole Woods and Old Kings Road, Coffey said.
“Flagler County has a duty and an obligation to the citizens in (West Flagler),” County Commissioner Chairwoman Barbara Revels said. “And this is the cheapest way to (fulfill) it.”
Station 81 in Rima Ridge will remain, with all volunteers.
The engine bays at Korona will remain, but the station will be demolished and replaced with a 3,000-square-foot facility with a raised floor, water-treatment system, fire sprinklers, parking and sleeping quarters.
