Manchester and Yukon Harbor neighborhoods may feel a little safer now that the South Kitsap Fire Rescue (SKFR) Station 9, located on the 7400 block of Mile Hill Drive, has finished its upgrade.

An open house will be held at the station on April 30 to celebrate its completion and the transfer from volunteer status to a full-time career station.

After the South Kitsap Fire Rescue Emergency Medical Services levy passed last year with more than 70 percent of the vote, the fire district got underway with the station’s remodel.

The levy lift raised property taxes to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property values, which afforded SKFR the funds needed for this project.

“The target date for the station to go full-time is May 1 at 8 a.m.,” said Deputy Chief Steve Wright. “We’re confident we’ll have the station completed and ready by April 30, in time for the open house.”

According to Wright, the growth in and around Port Orchard, specifically the Manchester area, which has now gone from an urban area to suburban, has made it difficult to respond to emergencies quickly.

“Manchester has seen a considerable amount of growth over the past decade,” said Wright, “and the Fircrest Station, Station 8, has had to compensate for that.

“We were very pleased for the 72 percent ‘yes’ vote that made the funds available for this project,” Wright said. “It has been a full year, and we’re excited, staffed and ready to go.”