North Carolina Construction News staff writer
The City of Charlotte has broken ground on a third fire station at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), marking a major step forward in the airport’s long-term expansion and safety planning.
An official ceremony held May 27 celebrated the start of construction on Fire Station 47, a nearly 54,000-square-foot facility that will be located in the 3800 block of Yorkmont Road on the southern portion of the airfield. The new station will join existing Airport fire facilities, including Stations 41 and 17.
The project is being built by a joint venture of JE Dunn Construction and McFarland Construction, serving as construction manager at risk. Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects designed the facility.
Once completed, Station 47 will house Engine 47 and Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) apparatus, along with administrative offices, 22 sleeping rooms, training rooms, a kitchen, fitness areas and additional support space for on-duty personnel.
Approximately 80 to 100 Charlotte Fire Department personnel are assigned to CLT, and the new station is designed to strengthen coverage across the growing airfield—particularly near the airport’s eastern runway system.
“At CLT, our mission is rooted in people, partnerships and productivity – and Firehouse 47 is a powerful example of that mission in action,” said CLT Chief Executive Officer Haley Gentry during the ceremony. “It represents our shared commitment to safety, operational resiliency, and serving the millions of passengers and employees who rely on this Airport every day.”
The facility is being constructed to meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements tied to the airport’s Fourth Parallel Runway project, which is currently under construction and expected to open in fall 2027. The FAA requires rapid emergency response capabilities on airfields, including a first-response arrival within three minutes and a second unit within four minutes.
Airport officials and fire leadership emphasized that the station’s location will improve response times by allowing firefighters direct access to critical runway areas without crossing active airfield traffic.
“It comes down to safety,” said CLT Airport Division Chief Justin Field. “If there’s an emergency at the terminal, these folks have direct access.”
Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald T. Johnson also highlighted the operational benefits of the new facility. “When emergencies happen at an airport, seconds matter, access matters, coordination matters,” he said. “This is a major step forward for firefighter safety and airport operations.”
The new station is part of the broader infrastructure investment supporting CLT’s continued growth as one of the busiest airports in the United States. Completion is expected ahead of the Fourth Parallel Runway opening in 2027.