City and community leaders broke ground on a new Torrey Pines fire station, beginning construction on a facility planned to serve the northern coastal area.
Station location affects how quickly crews reach medical emergencies, fires and rescues. A modern building also supports current apparatus, staffing, communications and safety standards.
The groundbreaking followed a long period of planning and funding. The public benefit would arrive after construction, when the new station could begin changing response coverage on the ground.