Hundreds Attend Fire Station Open House in West Linn

The Brass Dedication Plaque on the Side of the Fire Station

(WEST LINN, Oregon) - Today the firefighters at Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue's Bolton Fire Station in West Linn officially opened their doors to show the new facility to neighbors in West Linn. Families were able to learn about the daily lives of firefighters, see fire apparatus and learn about home fire escape planning.

Most importantly, fire personnel were able to express their gratitude to the citizens who helped build the fire station which will serve the community for decades to come.

More about Fire Station 58:

The station is home to a daily engine company crew of four firefighters, a fire engine, a heavy brush unit and a water tender. The building includes sleeping rooms, a kitchen, physical fitness area, an office, a large apparatus and storage bay, and a community room.

The new station replaces an older fire station that was too small for current fire apparatus and was not seismically stable. During construction, firefighters from Fire Station 58 worked out their old fire station located next door. Incident response times were not adversely affected during construction, but response times are now quicker in the new facility because it is better positioned for firefighters to access Willamette Drive.

The Bolton Station was constructed to survive a major earthquake and is large enough to accommodate today's modern fire apparatus. The station is also energy efficient and designed to meet a certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. The building incorporates extensive use of natural light, solar panels to preheat water, on-demand water heaters, rain-water capture for toilets, use of low emission and recycled construction materials and high-efficiency lighting, heating and cooling systems.

The $2.5 million station was designed with extensive public input. TVF&R participated in over 40 public meetings with neighborhood associations, historical resource advisory groups, the Planning Commission, and the West Linn City Council detailing plans for reconstructing fire stations in West Linn.

The site of the new station was previously occupied by five houses. Three were demolished, but two were preserved thanks to a partnership involving local resident Sue Smith, TVF&R and the City of West Linn. Both homes were moved by NW Structural Movers on June 10th, 2009 to other lots in the Bolton neighborhood owned by Sue, so they remain close to their roots.

Fire Station 58 is one of two TVF&R stations to be built in West Linn. TVF&R also built a new fire station in the Willamette neighborhood to replace the aging Fire Station 59. Both projects are paid for by bonds approved by 68.6% of voters in November 2006. The $77.5 million general obligation bond pays for capital improvements across the District and is expected to improve and maintain TVF&R's response to emergency incidents.

Finally, the Bolton Fire Station incorporates an important part of West Linn firefighting history: A 100-year-old bell that called firefighters to action for decades now sits atop the new building for all to see.

News Release from: Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue

Additional Photos: People Look at the West Linn Antiques | The Fire Apparatus On Display