ROGERS -- About 150 people applauded as a bell rang Tuesday to signal the opening of a fire station on New Hope Road.
"This building symbolizes a big investment in safety," said Tom Jenkins, Rogers fire chief. "If you have a home near here it tells you we are committed to you. We are going to get there quick and prepared."
The $2.3 million building has been a five-year project, Mayor Greg Hines said. The project was paid for through revenue that exceeded the city's budgeted projections each year, Hines said.
"There was no bank loans, there was no dipping into reserves," he said.
The fire station at 1800 W. New Hope Road replaces another station on South 17th Street, Jenkins said. That station was built in 1971, he said.
Standard equipment used today didn't fit in the older station, Jenkins said, because pumper trucks were smaller in the 1970s. Fire departments also didn't have ambulances.
The older fire station was in a residential neighborhood, he said. That made it difficult for firefighters to respond quickly, he said.
"This is on a main five-lane road," Jenkins said. The location will cut 20 to 30 seconds off of response times, he said.
Mary McDonald, a Rogers resident, said during Tuesday's opening she understands the importance of a fast response time. She said she was 34 weeks pregnant when her water broke at home. The baby was in a breech position with her cord was wrapped around her neck, McDonald said.
Rogers firefighters were able to respond quickly and help McDonald deliver her daughter, she said. The birth took just 11 minutes, she said.
"My view of how my tax dollars are utilized has changed," McDonald said.
The 12,476-square-foot fire station includes three drive-through bays, living quarters, private bathrooms, kitchen, lounge and exercise areas. About six firefighters will work and live out of the station, Jenkins said.
NW News on 07/01/2015