Construction Around Town: Fire Station No. 8

A new facility and some new equipment are coming online with the Springfield Fire Department's Fire Station No. 8.

According to Steve Hoerning, assistant chief of operations, the existing Fire Station No. 8 accommodates a daily crew of six an engine company and a rescue company. With the new facility, the station will add another vehicle and another person. The additional vehicle is a new air and light truck, paid for by the 2001 level property bond issue.

The air and light truck will provide bottled air for firefighters and is equipped with a telescoping light powerful enough to light up a football field a big improvement for nighttime fire and rescue operations.

Flintco Inc. is the contractor for the $1.6 million, 15,300-square-foot fire station, and the construction manager is Mark Terbrock.

Designed by architect John Torgerson of Pellham-Phillips-Hagerman, Architects-Engineers PC, the station includes a four-bay garage, living area, kitchen facilities, sleeping quarters and a community room that will be available for public use.

Fire Station No. 8 is slated for completion in October and will serve southwest Springfield.