‘We Are Coming Closer’: Charlotte Fire Groundbreaking of Firehouse 46

A firefighter’s helmet and ceremonial shovel lie in the dirt near Ladder 33—a quiet tribute to Charlotte Fire’s history and future during the Firehouse 46 groundbreaking. 

By Kevin Campbell, Charlotte Fire

On a quiet stretch of Miranda Road in northwest Charlotte, city leaders, firefighters, and residents gathered Tuesday morning to break ground on a long-awaited firehouse that promises to save lives and strengthen trust. 

Firehouse 46 is more than a new building. For Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson, it represents a powerful investment in public safety, equity, and connection. 

Charlotte Fire personnel at the official groundbreaking for Firehouse 46, which will help strengthen emergency response times in one of the city’s fastest-growing neighborhoods. 

"Firehouses are not just buildings. They are lifelines. They are promises," Johnson told the crowd. "And what we are breaking ground on today is more than brick and mortar. It is about service. It is about people. It is about time.  Because when you call 911, every second counts." 

In recent weeks, Charlotte firefighters have faced moments that drive that message home. Just last week, they responded to a two-alarm apartment fire and rescued six people, including two children. Johnson shared another powerful example: firefighters delivering a baby born prematurely at just 21 weeks. The mother didn’t know she was pregnant. The baby wasn’t breathing. But firefighters acted quickly. That tiny child took her first breath in the arms of a firefighter. 

Firefighter Stephen Taylor holds baby Leilani, who was born with the help of Charlotte Fire crews from Engine 21 during a surprise home delivery earlier this year. 

"That is why we are here," Johnson said. "Because when fire and crisis meet, time matters. Proximity matters." 

Firehouse 46 will serve neighborhoods in northwest Charlotte where growing development and recent annexation have stretched response times. Until now, nearby stations have been too far to meet Charlotte Fire’s standards. 

"This firehouse is how we fix that," Johnson said. "It is how we make sure the people who live here get the same level of service as everyone else in Charlotte. Because response time is not just a number. It is a matter of life and death."

Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson stands beneath the American flag raised by Ladder 33 during the Firehouse 46 groundbreaking celebration. 

Council Member Malcolm Graham, who represents District 2, called the new firehouse a promise kept. 

"Today we break ground, but it’s more than that," Graham said. "We are investing in public safety and our community. We are investing in the future of northwest Charlotte." 

He described Firehouse 46 as a state-of-the-art, 14,600-square-foot facility that will include three apparatus bays, modern living quarters, locker rooms, a kitchen and dayroom, a fitness space, administrative offices, and both staff and visitor parking. The project also includes solar panels, a geothermal HVAC system, and sustainable landscaping, all in pursuit of LEED certification. 

A rendering of Charlotte Fire’s future Firehouse 46, which will house an engine, ladder, and battalion company in a growing area of Charlotte. 

"I got here a little early today and drove down the road," Graham said. "You can see the annexation. You can see the growth. And you can see why this station is needed right here, right now." 

For Ashlee Burkhalter, president of the Glenlea Neighborhood Association, Tuesday’s groundbreaking wasn’t just a ceremonial milestone. It was personal. 

A wide aerial view shows the scope of the Firehouse 46 groundbreaking event, as community leaders, firefighters, and city officials gather to mark the start of construction. 

"Firehouse 46 will bring vital resources closer to families who need it most," she said. "It means faster response times, a safer environment for our elders and children, and a sense of presence—knowing that help is never far when it matters most." 

Burkhalter said the project is a testament to what happens when city leaders listen and communities speak up.

Underneath a massive American flag, community members and Charlotte Fire personnel gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of construction for Firehouse 46. 

"This groundbreaking represents progress. Not just in construction, but in commitment," she said. "It says to neighborhoods like ours: We see you. We value you. And we’re investing in your future. That matters." 

Fire Chief Johnson closed his remarks with a message of gratitude and purpose. 

"To our firefighters, thank you for your courage, your professionalism, and your compassion," he said. "To the residents who will be served by Firehouse 46, we see you. We are coming closer. And we will be ready when you call."