Hinkle Fire Hall That Has Stood Vacant Over A Decade Finally Going Into Service

A stately fire hall erected over a decade ago at Hinkle on Lookout Mountain is finally set to be put to use after sitting vacant all this time. Walker County officials have announced they are moving forward with contracts to make the fire station operational.

Joe Legge explained, “The inside of the building is just a shell. The plan is for it to be used as a volunteer station.”

The Walker County Commission is scheduled to vote on contracts related to the fire hall this Thursday. One contract covers framing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and other interior work. There were four bidders for this project, with the recommendation going to Victory Construction at $447,434.

Additional contracts include:

– A contract with Standby Service Solutions of LaFayette to supply a generator for the building at a cost of $42,060.
– Installation of a sprinkler system by Summit Fire and Security for $44,760.

Back in 2016, in an interview with then-Walker County Sole Commissioner Bebe Heiskell, it was noted that the handsome building would soon be getting valuable use. Designed not only to replace an inadequate fire hall but also to serve as a community meeting place and shelter during storms, the facility had yet to be completed inside.

Commissioner Heiskell mentioned in that interview that she was recently asked why the new facility remained empty. Upon contacting Randy Camp, county EMS director, she was told, “they just haven’t got around to it yet.”

She described the current fire hall as “just awful” and said it does not meet current fire codes. The old facility may be repurposed for storing road equipment and salt used during snow and ice storms.

In the same 2016 interview, Heiskell noted that additional funds were needed to finish the interior of the community section of the new building located on Lula Lake Road. She mentioned a grant was being sought to cover those costs.

The need for such a facility became especially apparent after a devastating tornado struck Hinkle in 2011. Although there were no deaths or serious injuries, substantial property damage occurred. Heiskell said, “People’s roofs were torn off and they had no place to go. It was a sad situation. Now there will be a center for them to gather.”

Commissioner Heiskell also expressed hope that the new building would encourage commercial growth in the area. She said, “You have to drive a long way from there to buy gas. It would be nice to get a food store with gas pumps.”

Since then, a Dollar General has opened just below the previously empty fire hall, marking some progress toward the envisioned development.
http://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/1/8/513140/Hinkle-Fire-Hall-That-Has-Stood-Vacant.aspx

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