Pasco County Fire Rescue is temporarily closing Fire Station 39, located at 11630 County Line Road, in Hudson, Florida due to a bat colony inhabiting the building. The station is expected to remain closed for approximately one week.

During the closure of Fire Station 39, Engine 39 will be responding out of Fire Station 20 in Shady Hills and Rescue 39 will be responding out of Fire Station 10 in Hudson. The fire station closure has also activated an auto-aid agreement with Hernando County Fire Rescue to facilitate response in northwest Pasco County that will continue to provide the level of service the community expects.

Bats have been living on the property for several years and efforts to keep them away from the building have been ongoing. Over the past week, several bats have been found inside the building, creating unsanitary and unsafe conditions.

Pasco County staff members are working with a wildlife contractor to determine the most effective way to remove the bats and to prevent them from gaining entrance to the fire station in the future. Pasco County Animal Services is consulting with the Florida Department of Health – Pasco County (FDOH-Pasco) to screen two bats for any potential diseases.

For more information about Pasco County Fire Rescue and fire prevention:

Visit our website: www.pascocountyfl.net/firerescue

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