PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Treasure Island Fire Rescue is the only fire department in Florida that doesn't have a physical headquarters.

That's according to the city’s mayor, John Doctor.

The building shared by the fire and police was severely damaged in Hurricane Helene. For about six months, they've been working out of pods next door to city hall. It's where the fire and police chiefs want the city to build a new public safety building.

Commissioners held a workshop Tuesday to discuss plans for the department's future home. They approved that location in February, but changes to the board since then have led to some questions about the project.

Fire Chief Trip Barrs says his team has adapted to the pods, just like they did to the many changes since Hurricane Helene brought three feet of storm surge into their nearly 70-year-old former building.

He said in the two weeks between Helene and Milton, they were stationed in seven different places.

"The floor of a library at St. Pete College, a church facility, some condo owners allowed us to use multiple condos in a building," Barrs said of the locations. "It's utterly important that we get a new facility, a permanent facility, underway and being built."

Barrs said talks have revolved around building a 12,000-square-foot combined fire and police facility where the pods are now.

The estimated cost is about $12 million.

"It was kind of conditional, based upon how expensive it was, because we don't have any money set aside at this point for that,” said Doctor.

Three new commissioners have also been sworn in since then. Doctor said the workshop was a chance for them to talk about possible next steps.

Some of the new lawmakers said they don't want to raise taxes to pay for a new facility. There was also talk of building a new fire department while moving police into city hall.

Barrs said they'll ultimately do whatever the commission authorizes, but he thinks a combined fire and police station would best serve residents.

“The fourth floor is wide open,” Barrs said. “So, what we're trying to do is be very efficient with our buildings, with our costs, with our maintenance.

"It's the most economical to build and located here on Gulf Boulevard next to City Hall. From a fire standpoint, it decreases our overall response time by an estimated 38 seconds."

Commissioners did give the OK Tuesday for fire and police to move their temporary facilities to a parking lot near their old station.

As for a permanent home, the city also still needs information on what insurance and FEMA funds could still be to come.