‘A long time coming': Boston aims to reduce response times with new EMS station

Officials broke ground on a $16M EMS station in South Boston, one of the city’s fastest-growing neighborhoods

May 28, 2025 09:05 AM

Mayor Michell Wu, Boston EMS Chief, James Hooley and others officially break ground on a new state-of-the-art ambulance station for Boston EMS on the South Boston Waterfront.

By Gayla Cawley
Boston Herald

BOSTON — City officials and first responders gathered Friday for the groundbreaking of a $16 million “state-of-the-art” ambulance center on the South Boston waterfront.

The project, slated for completion next year, was touted by the mayor’s office as a “major investment in public health infrastructure and emergency response” for the one of the city’s “fastest growing neighborhoods.”

“This groundbreaking marks our continued efforts to protect the health and safety of every Boston resident,” Mayor Michelle Wu said. “As the Seaport and Boston overall continue to grow, this new EMS station ensures we can continue to respond to emergency calls with timely care, as well as providing updated facilities and strong support for our EMTs and paramedics.”

The new ambulance center will be located on Dry Dock Avenue in the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park adjacent to Pier 10 . City officials anticipate that the addition will enhance emergency response times and expand access to life-saving care.

The station will feature a two-bay ambulance garage, public restrooms, and a second-floor crew space with a lounge, kitchenette, showers and a gym to support EMS personnel.

James Hooley, the city’s EMS chief, described the day’s groundbreaking for the new facility as “a long time coming.”

“Over the past decade, emergency calls in the South Boston waterfront area have doubled,” Hooley said. “This station will strengthen our ability to get the right resources to people at the right time, and improve outcomes when every second truly matters.”

The station will be fully electric, as part of the city’s climate-friendly goals, and built on a site that will also include a newly-paved plaza and a landscaped parklet with trees and greenery enhancing the surrounding public space, officials said.

City Councilor Ed Flynn, who represents the area and whose father, former mayor Ray Flynn, is the namesake of the park where the new station is being built, described the investment as a “lifeline for our community.”

“This has been years in the making,” Flynn said. “It’s a step forward for public safety, access to city services, and the well-being of every person in our neighborhood.”

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