New fire station dedicated to former county commissioner Lonzy Edwards

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – In case of a fire in east Macon near Jeffersonville road, firefighters can respond more quickly. Macon-Bibb leaders held a ribbon cutting on Thursday for the grand opening of a new fire station, named in honor a former commissioner.

It was a special dedication to someone who touched so many people.

“You can find him in the law office with a suit on, in the church in the pull pit with a robe on,” says Nancy Edwards who is the Wife of Dr. Lonzy Edwards.

Edwards passed away in 2016. He was a friend, father and leader for Macon-Bibb. Now community leaders are dedicating Fire Station 111 in his honor.

“Life, energy was invested in this community and for them to do it with a firehouse, a saving institution, one that comes with a lot of danger was very befitting,” Mrs. Edwards adds.

For several years, the commission and the Macon-Bibb Fire Department were working to improve fire protection in east Macon. Chief Marvin Riggins had a plan.

Chief Marvin Riggins with the Macon-Bibb Fire Department says, “Our response time was less than what is desirable as far as our standards are concerned. I brought forth a strategic plan to the commission and the commission voted for it to fully support that and fund it. We are seeing the fruits of that thanks to the SPLOST and the commission and mayor for supporting this idea even after consolidation.”

Edwards had served as a county commissioner and was an advocate for the plan.

“He was responsible for earmarking some of the money for this fire station. When we came along, we had to add some additional SPLOST money to it so that we could build it the way we wanted it first class,” says Macon-Bibb Mayor Robert Reichert.

The new fire station is also home to a new fire truck that is fully loaded and carries 500 gallons of water and 1500 feet of hoses. Mayor Robert Reichert also says residents living closer to the fire station will have lower fire insurance premiums on their homes.