STANWOOD — Despite some crossed wires, the new fire station is almost ready.
Firefighters were supposed to move into the Stanwood Fire Department’s new 14,000-square-foot station at 8117 267th St. NW this week, but a mistake in the installation of some telephone wires needed attention.
An open house for the public is still going to happen as planned from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the new station.
Once the wiring and last-minute touches are finished, the department’s three full-time firefighters and more than 20 volunteers are scheduled to move in Jan. 6.
At the old station on 270th Street, boxes of equipment are stacked in various corners, awaiting the move.
Rob Buchanan, one of Stanwood’s full-time firefighters, said most of the gear was packed and ready when word came that the move had been postponed.
"We had a 24-foot moving truck lined up," Buchanan said. "We had to call the day before we were going to move and cancel."
But he said the temporary inconvenience is minor.
"It’s worth the wait. We’ve waited so long just to get this station. My attitude is take your time and do it right," Buchanan said.
Voters approved the $2.5 million project in 2000. It originally was to be built next to the old station, but poor soils caused the city to look elsewhere.
The new station will be a major upgrade. The old station was built in 1960 with mostly donated materials.
Buchanan said it has served the city well, but today the trucks barely squeeze into the bays. A chain saw was used to make room for the ladder truck, and a plastic flap was tacked up to keep the heat in. Dry rot and termites have taken hold.
The new station has six bays, three stories, sleeping quarters for eight, a kitchen, a living room, showers, laundry and a 40-kilowatt emergency generator, Public Works supervisor Les Anderson said.
The new station also has a large training room that will be available to community groups for meetings. And a "decon" room will allow firefighters to decontaminate their gear and used laundry and showers before tracking through the rest of the station upon return from a call, Anderson said.
Back at the old station, Buchanan paused. Despite the obvious necessity of the move, it was not easy for him.
"I’m kind of emotionally attached to the place," he said.
Reporter Scott Morris: 425-339-3292 or smorris@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
