Golden, Colo. - June 17, 2008 - Golden Fire Station No. 1 will be officially dedicated with a public celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 28, at 911 10th St. A hose uncoupling ceremony and fire truck push will be held at 10 a.m. Equipment will be on display, station tours will be available and lunch will be provided.
Firefighters got the keys to the new station in mid-April and began moving back into the new facility, which is located on the same site as the former station, adjacent to City Hall. The first call was run out of the station just minutes after the final items and the fire trucks were moved in on May 2.
Golden Fire Station No. 1 was originally built in 1961 and underwent a major renovation in 1974. As call volumes increased over the years, the Golden Fire Department was challenged to find ways to continue providing exceptional fire response while maintaining one of the last remaining vibrant volunteer departments in the metro area.
The Department's solution was to begin scheduling volunteers into shifts, but that required a place to house them that includes sleeping quarters and other accommodations for spending lengthy periods of time. Station No. 1 did not formerly have those capabilities, so Golden City Council approved construction of a brand new facility on the same site.
The Golden Fire Department moved into temporary facilities at the former City shops facilities in July 2007 while construction of the new station was underway. The new headquarters will house six fire apparatus, expanded administrative offices and training facilities, and crew quarters for housing up to eight volunteer firefighters on a shift program.
"The new station is a major milestone for the department," said Fire Chief
John Bales. "It expands our ability for the shift program and brings our training and education capabilities well into the 21st Century."
"I am very proud of the way the Golden Fire Department has grown and maintained its leadership in professional firefighting," said City Manager
Mike Bestor. "This new station mirrors the quality and professionalism of the volunteer men and women who protect our City so well."
Sabrina D'Agosta is the public information officer for Golden.