Despite the sweltering heat and humidity, members of the community came out in droves to celebrate the grand opening of Roanoke’s new Fire-EMS Station 5 held on Monday, June 28.
Roanoke City Manager Chris Morrill was pleased to see the large attendance and remarked, “This is not just a fire station. It’s for the community. I’ve been to a lot of these events in other cities. It’s quite unusual to see so many members of a community present.”
Also in attendance and on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony were local dignitaries, Virginia’s Secretary of Public Safety Marla Decker, community leaders, retirees from the department and Fire-EMS personnel.
The Station 5 construction project started in the fall of 2007 with the consultant selection process.The bid process took place in October 2008. Construction began on January 12, 2009. Fire-EMS personnel began moving into the new facility last week on June 22, one day after construction was completed.
Located at 1920 Orange Avenue, the new Station 5 consolidates the former Station 5 located at 216 12th Street, NW and Station 9 located at 514 24th Street, NW. Personnel from both stations have relocated to the new station.
“We’ll remember our past, but are excited about the future. We took the poles that were used at Station 3 when it closed in 2007 because of Captain Chris Brown, who passed away last October passed away. It was his idea that the poles could be used at the new station. Firefighters have also salvaged other pieces from fire stations that have closed and this has saved a lot money,” said Chief David Hoback.
“Station 5 is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified,” said Mayor David Bowers. LEED certification provides independent third-party evaluation that a building project is environmentally responsible, financially beneficial and a healthy place to live or work.
The $4.8 million new state-of-the-art facility has been built for the use of the community as well. It has a gender friendly environment. Other features include dorm rooms, a fitness room, four bays to accommodate modern fire and EMS apparatus, office space for the Battalion Chief and Station Captain and a police sub station. “This is an example of what we are doing for Northwest. This is just as important as to the City,” added Bowers.
“Station 5 also houses the department’s new Pierce ladder truck with a 105-foot ladder on top. The truck itself carries a price tag of $843,000 and with all the equipment included ran close to $1 million. It’s a phenomenal truck,” enthused Hoback.
Secretary Deeker’s comments summed up the pride felt by everyone present: “In the design of this building, there has been a place for community. You have been a place for community. You have a commitment from the City at a time when the economy is in a downturn. The City could have turned its back but it didn’t. The firehouse has come to fruition. At this time of economic challenges, public safety has to be preserved. When you say you’re going to put a building in, you have to do it. It says a lot about community. It’s a great thing to commemorate this building. This building is a way to the future and hopefully, will be a model for future buildings, not just in Roanoke, but throughout the rest of the Commonwealth.”
By Susan Ayers [email protected]