Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron, county commissioners and first responders helped break ground Thursday for the Public Safety and Health Building to serve the Kittrell community.

Ketron said the building will house two ambulances and fire engines and provide room for a certified tornado shelter to house 260 residents and a food pantry.

The Kittrell site is the second of six planned buildings costing $7.16 million apiece with funding the federal American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus Recovery Funds.

President Joey Peay of the Kittrell Volunteer Fire Department said he appreciated the new building. He paid tribute to the volunteer firefighters who will staff the fire department while putting “their lives on the line.”

“When seconds matter, the ambulance is (will be) seconds away,” Peay said.

Commissioner Robert Peay, who represents Kittrell, said thanked the county commissioners to follow his dream to get an ambulance in the community.

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Commissioner Pettus Read, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, said the buildings were a dream of his as well.

Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh said the building will give deputies who work 10-hour shifts a place to write reports and take a break.

Fitzhugh thanked the mayor and county commissioners for pursuing the buildings.

“I want people to know that your public safety is strong,” Fitzhugh said, adding he is thankful the agencies work together well.