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First Look Inside Palisade's New Fire Station

by KREX News Room
by Danielle Kreutter

Story Created: Nov 12, 2012 at 7:32 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 13, 2012 at 7:50 AM MDT

PALISADE, Colo.- It's been six months in the making, and now the new fire station in Palisade is nearing completion.

On Monday News Channel 5 got an exclusive look at the new station.

The Palisade Fire Department has been in its current location for about 50 years, and with just a few more weeks left of construction, the $1.7 million project is on time and on budget.

"Our population has increased, our call volume has increased and the type of calls we go on has increased, so we were due for an upgrade," said Richard Rupp, Palisade fire chief.

That upgrade includes a total of more than 14,000 square feet.

"Our firefighters have a lot more room; we can handle more firefighters to be able to respond to calls," said Rupp.

The extra space will also be able to house all fire vehicles, including temperature-sensitive tenders that currently have to be drained before sitting in the cold.

"They're not readily available on a moment's notice; we have to refill them to be able to respond ... we have the room now to keep them inside where it's warm," said Rupp.

Many of the extra additions double as training facilities. The stairwell serves as agility and smoke training, and the station tower will also be used as repel training.

The new location also allows crews to cover more area in a shorter amount of time.

"It's a little more centrally located, so we have better access. We're on a major highway," said Rupp.

Construction crews plan to apply for the certificate of occupancy for the station in early December, and Rupp says he's excited to move his team to the building.

"I've been waiting for this for probably close to about 10 to 12 years," Rupp said.

The new facility is built to accommodate meeting rooms for town administration, and the Palisade Police Department is also planning to move there in the future, which would create a complete public safety building.

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