The New Fire Facility Nears Completion

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Fire Chief Ryan Simmons

 Fire Chief Ryan Simmons was our speaker today. He spoke about the new fire facility and offered some helpful life saving tips that everyone can use at home. The new fire facility is progressing very well with occupancy of the new station hopefully around Aug 1^st. The old station’s footprint could almost fit into the new stations apparatus bays it’s that big. The old station’s doors are only 10 ft x10 ft forcing the department to purchase custom built trucks at a higher cost. The new stations doors are 14 ft x14 ft making exiting the station much safer and because the bays are now drive through there is no need to back trucks in again making it much safer. There are lots of training options built into the facility that will allow for high level rope rescue training, ladder practice, a space for air-pack or confined space entry classes as well as a space for actual hands-on hose-line training. There is a decontamination area for cleaning firefighting gear along with showers and a locker room for clothing. There is a kitchen, classroom, dayroom and 7 dorm rooms for future needs or even for firefighters to stay at the station during severe weather or snowstorms. The are also considerably more parking spaces available at the new station.

Chief Simmons mentioned that with the different types of building materials used in modern day construction you need to have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your homes. Compared to the construction material used 10-15 years ago where you had approximately 15-20 minutes to get out of a burning structure, today’s building materials are more synthetic and combustible giving off toxic fumes, therefore giving you much less time to escape. He also stressed that it is very important to close the doors to sleeping areas each night.  

The Chief also answered a question about critical incident debriefing sessions for members following fatal or traumatic calls. The members are covered under city insurance while on duty and that insurance also allows members access to mental health treatment if needed. There are some inhouse debriefings but outside help is available if needed.

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for is scheduled for Monday, October 5^th, with an Open House being planned shortly thereafter.

Pictured L-R: Optimist Paul Budden, Fire Chief Ryan Simmons, and Optimist President Terri Ellis.

Thank you, Chief Simmons.