HICKORY — Catawba County officially opened its newest Emergency Medical Services base on Tuesday, June 23, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 827 E Avenue SE in Hickory.
County commissioners, county leadership, Emergency Services personnel, project partners, and community members gathered to mark completion of the station, which the county said was designed to strengthen emergency response and better serve residents throughout the Hickory area.
The county described the standalone EMS base as strategically located near major roadways. It replaces an outdated facility and is meant to give crews quicker access to the community they serve. The county said the station was designed to improve operational efficiency while providing a modern workspace for EMS personnel.
The 6,500-square-foot facility includes four drive-through ambulance bays, training space, offices, and crew readiness space. The county put the project at approximately $3.4 million and called it part of continued investment in modernizing public safety infrastructure.
“Every day, our residents depend on EMS professionals to respond quickly when they need help most,” Board Chair Randy Isenhower said. “This new base reflects Catawba County’s commitment to providing our first responders with the facilities they need to serve the community safely and efficiently. Investments like this strengthen our emergency response system today while preparing us to meet the needs of our growing county for years to come.”
“Every minute matters in emergency medical services. This new EMS base strengthens our ability to serve residents in the Hickory area while providing our personnel with a facility designed to support the demanding work they perform every day,” Emergency Services Director Brook Redding said. “This project is part of our continued effort to invest in our people, improve operational readiness, and ensure Catawba County remains prepared to meet the growing needs of our community.”
The county said the project is the third and final standalone EMS base completed as part of a long-term plan to replace aging facilities with stations designed for today’s emergency responders. Project partners included Winstead Architecture, PLLC, and Wilkie Construction Company SE, LLC.
A photo caption on the county page lists people pictured at the ceremony, including Commissioner Barbara Beatty; Commissioner Vice-Chair Austin Allran; County Manager Mary Furtado; EMS Manager William Butler; EMS Medical Director Dr. Charles McKaraher; REACH Crew Chief Jason Powell; and others from EMS, facilities, purchasing, and the construction team.
The June 23 notice does not list a new crew schedule or a date the old Hickory base closed.
Official release from Catawba County Government, June 23, 2026. https://www.catawbacountync.gov/news/catawba-county-celebrates-opening-of-new-hickory-ems-base/
