Grand Junction’s newest fire station is scheduled to break ground later this month, completing a project to build three new fire stations that voters approved five years ago.
In April 2019, voters approved Measure 2B, which increased the city sales tax by 0.50% to partially fund the construction of three new fire stations as well as other public safety improvements. Station 6 and Station 8 are already completed. Construction of Station 7 is scheduled to begin at 2351 H Road, corner of 23½ Road. Station 3 was also replaced during this time period, but was not funded by the public safety tax.
Dirk Clingman, community outreach specialist for the Grand Junction Fire Department, said the fire department is excited to begin construction on the third station. He said the station is tentatively scheduled to be completed and operational by the end of 2025.
“We are excited to have another station up and running,” Clingman said. “This has been a long-term project and it is really the culmination of what we have done to keep our community safe. We are really proud of the progress we have made.”
The groundbreaking for the new station is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Aug. 29. Clingman said one of the new neighbors – Appleton Elementary School – will participate in the event.
“It’s going to be special,” Clingman said. “We plan to include students from Appleton Elementary, who are our neighbors there. From what I understand, we’ll be inviting the third graders to come over and participate.”
The cost of building and equipping the station is estimated at $7.5 million. The department purchased a new fire engine for the station in 2022, which is expected to be delivered later this year. It also purchased and equipped an ambulance for the station in 2023.
Clingman said all of the new stations play an important role in the community by ensuring quick response times.
“Our response times, based on national standards, are between 6 and 8 minutes from the station when in the middle of the night a firefighter is fast asleep and comes to your door to assist you with your emergency,” Clingman said. “As our community grows, it’s important to add stations so that response time remains consistent and doesn’t increase.”
The new station will have a particular focus on wildfire containment, Clingman said, and the station will feature some design changes that reflect that specialization. It will also include a decontamination shower so firefighters can clean themselves after a structure fire to limit the spread of carcinogens into living spaces.
“Each station has a few small adjustments to better serve the area,” Clingman said. “All of our stations are designed for their respective specialty areas. In the current plan, it will be our forest fire station. So the design will be adjusted in several ways (and will) accommodate our bush vehicle.”
Clingman said the station has all the necessary building permits from the city to move forward with the project.
