The new firehouse was open to the public, allowing visitors to explore where firefighters work and live while on their shift. In addition to the open house, the station offered pumpkin decorating for kids, a bounce house, and complimentary hot dogs and bratwurst for the crowd. Visitors could also climb aboard the fire engines to see what they carry. A demonstration showcased the tools the department uses to extricate victims from accidents. These battery-operated tools can be taken anywhere they are needed and tore through the car like a can opener. The demonstration included removing doors, rolling back the dashboard, and removing a vehicle's roof.
The New Melle Fire Protection District would like to thank everyone who attended the Open House. The event received incredible support from the community.
The new station has administrative offices for the staff and a new conference room for board meetings and training. This room is also a community space and can be utilized by the public if not in use. Station #1 will support three shifts, each with four crew members working 48 hours every four days. There are four bedrooms/baths, a living area, an outside space, a kitchen big enough to support three shifts, a workout facility and more. This welcoming atmosphere helps firefighters feel at home during long shifts.
The station now has a state-of-the-art early alert system. Monitors are placed throughout the building, displaying the location of incidents and corresponding maps when a call comes in. This allows the trucks to be en route while dispatch still gathers details over the phone, providing firefighters with a head start. Additionally, the system starts a timer that tracks how long it takes the crew to board the trucks and leave the station. This feature sets a clear goal for them to work towards, motivating them for continuous improvement.
This new station and upcoming improvements were made possible by the residents and their support of the New Melle Fire Protection District.
(L) Antoinette Elgin - local artist and (R) Sarah
Schmidt - local author of "I'm a Giant Fire Truck"
The pictures below were from the extrication demonstration during the open house.
