The 28,000 square foot station has more storage space, updated technology and room for more firefighters. The station is expected to open in May.  

"Other fire stations in the city were built for the day they opened, so this one is a very very big size but it's built to where if we need to add more companies, everything is here. It's just a matter of growing as the need determines," said McGregor.

Pryor and other department officials, including former volunteer chief Donald Watson, began advocating for a new station nearly a decade ago. After a location search that included two other sites in Elkridge, including the site of the Elkridge Branch Library along Route 1, construction began on Rowanberry Road in October 2016.  

Dreams of a new station became reality on Saturday when the county celebrated the opening of a new, $13.7 million fire house.

At 34,080 square feet, the station has six pull-through apparatus bays for engines, trucks and ambulances, as well as kitchen and living space for crews and a hall for community events.

After looking around the community, the fire department asked the Daviess County Commissioners if they would allow a couple of the trucks to be stored at the old county highway garage on Southeast Third Street.

Earlier this year, Washington Township landed a $500,000 grant from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs for the new fire station. It will replace one that is 100 years old and falling apart. The new fire station, which carries a projected price tag of $563,000, will be larger than the current one. It will include an extra bay for growth, a place to do repairs, restrooms and a small meeting room. The project is due to be completed in the fall.