(Orange City) — What better time to show case a new fire station then to feature it to the general public during Fire Prevention Week? The Orange City Fire Department was able to move into its new expanded facilities just this week, and today, they will host an open house. Orange City Fire Chief Denny Vander Well talks about the open house ceremonies scheduled for Friday afternoon.
Construction on the new 15,000 square foot facility began on September 9th of last year. Vander Well says as Orange City continues to grow, it is important the fire station is able to keep up with the growth of the community.
One of the more needed facility requirements was an area to store firefighters’ gear. Vander Well says firefighters no longer need to store their gear and dress within a few feet of the trucks.
The Orange City Fire Chief believes the newly expanded fire station facilities will be functional for at least the next 40 years. He says, if ever needed, the fire station can be easily converted to become a fire house, where firefighters can reside while serving on duty. The new expanded fire station is equipped
with a large kitchen, board room, bathrooms with showers, and meeting training room. Vander Well says firefighters wanted a facility that would be functional, spacious, safe and healthy.
The expansion of the fire station had a price tag of just over $3 million dollars.
