St. Paul unveils new fire station on city's east side
For the first time in more than a decade, St. Paul unveiled a new fire station.
"This building isn't just about taking care of our firefighters," St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said.
The new Fire Station 7, which is off Ross Avenue, is a much-needed upgrade for the city. Until last week, firefighters on the east side were operating out of a station which is nearly 100 years old.
"We're telling our first responders that we're taking care of you, just like you're taking care of us," Carter said.
The new station features state-of-the-art equipment, including Minnesota's first electric fire engine, cancer reduction initiatives, gym and larger kitchen space.
City leaders say it's more than just a new station; it's strategic, as the east side of St. Paul faces more deadly fires than other neighborhoods.
"This station was not built here simply because there was land available, we used a data driven approach to determine what community is being disproportionately affected by fire," St. Paul Fire Chief Butch Inks said. "This station was strategically built here to protect the lives of those in this community."
Inks says the new station is more than just a building, it's a promise that help is never far away. More help, too. The expansion will station 12 to 15 first responders compared to the seven to eight at the old building.
"That's not just added value for our firefighters. It's not added value for the chief or added value for the mayor. It's added value for the neighbors. For the children, the families, the businesses right here on the east side," Carter said.
In November, St. Paul brought in the state's first electric fire station engine. Carter says there are plans in the works to bring on a second electric engine.
