SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - The Springfield Fire Department is getting 3 new fire houses. Two will be replacements for older fire houses, while one will expand services further southwest. 

Station 6, which is currently at 2156 S. Ninth Street, will move to the corner of 11th and Ash Street. Station 8, which is currently at 2051 W. Monroe Street, will move to the corner of Rickard Road and Lawrence. 

Station 6 is moving because of the ongoing rail project. 

"They have a hard time going to any calls north of where they're at, they have to actually go south to go north," said Brandon Blough, Chief of the Springfield Fire Department.  

Station 13 will be built at Woodside Road and Route 4, with the goal of expanding services to the Southwest corner of Springfield.

"The city of Springfield has grown out west especially, but our fire services haven't expanded since 1996," said Jim Langfelder, the Mayor of Springfield. "We haven't kept up with the growth of Springfield."

Chief Blough said the main priority is reducing wait times and ensuring the safety of Springfield residents. The new improvements will also make sure fire fighters are able to minimize exposure to dangerous chemicals. 

"We won't be taking that stuff, those carcinogens, and all of the dirt, and the grime into those living spaces," aid Chief Blough. "The fire houses that were built 50, 60, 70 years ago they weren't as focused on that."

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