Portsmouth Proposes $14M Plan to Replace Century-Old Fire Station

The Cradock fire station, in operation since 1918, will be relocated to a busier thoroughfare for faster emergency response.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:04pm

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An extremely blurred, impressionistic photograph of the faint outline of a fire engine speeding down a rain-streaked city street at night, captured in a warm, soft-focus style that evokes a sense of urgency and community.The proposed relocation of the century-old Cradock fire station aims to improve emergency response times and coverage for surrounding neighborhoods.Portsmouth Today

The city of Portsmouth, Virginia is proposing a $14 million plan to replace the century-old Cradock fire station with a larger, more modern facility on George Washington Highway. The current station, which has operated through two World Wars, no longer meets the needs of the fire department. The new location will allow firefighters to reach more neighborhoods faster and improve overall emergency response times.

Why it matters

The aging Cradock fire station has struggled to keep up with the changing needs of the city. Relocating the station to a busier road will enable quicker response times to a wider area, potentially improving public safety and reducing property damage from fires and other emergencies.

The details

The Cradock fire station has been in operation since 1918, originally located at Afton Square. City officials say the current building is outdated and no longer suitable for the fire department's needs. The proposed $14 million plan would move the station to a site on George Washington Highway, though the exact location has not been finalized. The new, larger facility is expected to allow firefighters to reach more neighborhoods, including Highland Biltmore and Truxton, in a shorter amount of time.

  • The Cradock fire station has been in operation since 1918.
  • The first public hearing on the proposed $14 million plan is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

The players

Capt. Anton Pociask

A captain in the Portsmouth Fire Department who has worked at the Cradock fire station.

Trey Burke

The budget officer for the city of Portsmouth who is overseeing the proposal to replace the Cradock fire station.

Lt. John Silva

A lieutenant in the Portsmouth Fire Department who has worked at the Cradock fire station since 2019.

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What they’re saying

“The station has kind of seen the ebbs and flows of the city itself.”

— Capt. Anton Pociask, Fire Department Captain

“The thought is to get into a larger, more modern one on a busier thoroughfare so that they can respond to fires more quickly and efficiently.”

— Trey Burke, Budget Officer

“By getting closer to George Washington, we're gonna be able to get into the Highland Biltmore area, Truxton, and neighborhoods a lot sooner. So if we had a coverage gap, we're gonna be able to get there sooner.”

— Capt. Anton Pociask, Fire Department Captain

“It could be a choking baby, it could be a house on fire, it could be helping an elderly citizen off the floor. You never know what it's gonna be. But that variety is what really keeps me coming. And ultimately you always get to leave with a good feeling… you helped somebody.”

— Lt. John Silva, Fire Department Lieutenant

What’s next

The first public hearing on the proposed $14 million plan to replace the Cradock fire station is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. The city council will then consider the proposal for final budget approval next month.

The takeaway

The aging Cradock fire station in Portsmouth has served the community for over a century, but city officials recognize the need for a larger, more modern facility to improve emergency response times and coverage. The proposed $14 million relocation plan aims to position the fire station on a busier thoroughfare to better serve the surrounding neighborhoods.