At an open house Thursday afternoon, hundreds of people got their first look at the Port Huron Fire Department’s new station on 10th Street.
City officials held a “hose cutting” to celebrate the opening of the 18,915-square-foot station, construction of which had been underway since December 2022.
“We’ll be dead and gone before they have to replace this building. It’s so well built,” Port Huron City Manager James Freed said at the open house.
Freed praised the new facilities that modernize the fire department. The new station was built to replace the River Street fire station, which was originally built in the 1960s.
Port Huron Mayor Pauline Repp said the new fire station was the largest investment in the fire department during her career, adding that it shows how much the community values its firefighters.
The new fire station offers firefighters modernized facilities, including single bedrooms, a decontamination room, a larger garage for more vehicles and the “training tower” used to practice high-altitude operations.
Freed thanked Port Huron Fire Chief Corey Nicholson, who oversaw construction and led the department.
Nicholson told those in attendance that the taxpayer dollars would help the department better serve the community by reducing response times and improving training.
“Without your financial support, Fire Station 1 would not be possible,” Nicholson said.
Nicholson also thanked firefighters for their work in moving operations from the River Street station to the new one. Although construction on Station 1 was technically completed in June, the fire department spent several hours moving supplies and equipment across town to get it up and running.
Guests were allowed to tour the fire station, which was funded with their tax dollars. Children tested out a firehouse with the assistance of the department’s firefighters. Others toured “Old Gert,” the 100-year-old fire truck that originally belonged to the department. It is now owned by Terry and Rita Ernest, who allowed it to be displayed in the garage of the new fire station.
Gary and Judy Lenn of Port Huron said they are happy about the new facilities that will be available to firefighters in their work.
“It seems like a good investment to improve the fire department,” said Gary Lenn.
Marty Habalewsky, another Port Huron resident, said he watched the building being assembled every day as he passed by on his way to work. He noted that the fire station’s location on 10th Street allowed it to respond more quickly to house fires.
“I watched it being built and it’s bigger (than the previous station),” Habalewsky said. “I’m sure it will be better for everyone.”
Contact Johnathan Hogan at [email protected].
