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.

Road grime can make it difficult to keep valves and water discharges clean, LaFave said. The new rigs will have enclosed spaces for controls, pumps and hose connections to reduce the weather impacts on the machinery. Other safety features will include upgraded air bags and LED lighting.  

The new fire engine cost about $620,000. The water tender was assembled in the Cowlitz 2 maintenance shop over the past year for about $200,000, LaFave said.

The refurbished 1987 Ford C800 was bought at an auction and donated to the Edmonton Riverview Rotary Club. Having heard about the Grande Prairie club’s efforts, they got in touch. Using a $10,000 budget and many donated services, the truck was repaired, given a fresh coat of paint, and winterized.  

Once in Grande Prairie, it was inspected by Fountain Tire and had new tires and rims installed by TireSmith Tirecraft. The finishing touches were put on by Auto Grande Prairie North and TrimFX, and Prairie Villa Insurance covered the insurance premiums. Both the City and County of Grande Prairie then donated expired gear, which was re-certified by Vallen Safety Supply Equipment.