NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — A former New Smyrna Beach city commissioner says an emergency signal is needed for a fire station on the main highway to the ocean.

What You Need To Know

  • Jake Sachs says New Smyrna Beach’s Fire Station 52 needs an emergency signal

  • Sachs says traffic gets backed up in front of the station on State Road 44

  • The emergency signal would temporarily stop traffic to allow fire trucks through

  • City of New Smyrna Beach says a signal isn’t needed, based on traffic in the area

Jake Sachs reached out to Traffic Inbox because he says traffic gets backed up on State Road 44 near Fire Station 52, especially on weekends and during spring break.

“Lines of sight on this road are poor because we’re on a kind of a widening curve,” he said. “And as you come around, you can’t really see the fire apparatus, leaving that very small ramp.”

Sachs served two terms on the New Smyrna Beach city commission.

He pushed for emergency signals to be installed in front of fire stations 50 and 52.

“The firefighters in the station either press a button there or press a button from the cab of the fire apparatus, which will change the lights in favor of their direction. All traffic will stop,” explained Sachs.

The one in front of station 50 was installed to improve traffic flow and response times for emergency vehicles.

But the one at 52 was never built.

“I don’t know what is holding it up. I think we’ve stalled,” he said.

City spokeswoman Ava Hanner says plans for an emergency signal at Station 52 were influenced by a proposed hotel to be built across the road. The hotel was never built, and as a result, the city determined a signal wasn’t necessary.

The city has since reviewed traffic there, and it has still been determined a light isn’t needed, according to Hanner.

An FDOT spokesperson says after an evaluation, they recommended the installation of the emergency traffic signal at fire station 52 in April 2019.

“While FDOT can recommend and review potential safety enhancements, the installation and long-term operation of such signals typically fall under local municipality jurisdiction. The city of New Smyrna Beach has the option to pursue installation of the signal, provided the location continues to meet the necessary criteria, including traffic volume warrants,” said FDOT District 5 Communications Manager Britney Jones.

Before moving to Volusia County, Sachs was a Miami Beach firefighter for 25 years.

“Every second we can save, every problem we can solve as they roll out freely and get them to you faster would make things so much better and save lives,” Sachs said.

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