The existing firehouse on the airport's south side was built in 1990, before major airport expansion took place. It would not be close enough to a proposed north-south runway to meet federal regulations.

The Federal Aviation Administration requires airport firefighters be able to reach the center of a runway within three minutes. That would not be possible with the proposed runway unless a firehouse is built on the airport's north side, airport officials said.

The FAA has not approved construction of the runway. Its decision is expected next summer.

A second firehouse also would reduce traffic on the airfield. Firefighters and airport paramedics have to drive across the east-west runway to respond to emergencies at the airline terminals. They would not have to cross a runway from a firehouse on the north side of the property.

The Kenton County Airport Board, which runs the airport, this week agreed to pay up to $31,228 to PB Aviation for environmental studies of the firehouse, a proposed building for the electric department and a proposed extension of Loomis Road.