"Our response times really lacked in the very southeast coordinates of the city," said Mike Sandry, a battalion chief with the Grand Forks Fire Department. "We'd like to have a normal response time of four to five minutes, and we were getting out to seven, eight, nine minutes. ... There might be times when we don't hit that four minutes, depending on traffic and things like that, but that's our goal."

On Wednesday, fire crews were busy getting ready for the station's public open house, scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday. Bands of firefighters carried in boxes holding gym equipment and blinds while others pushed a broom around the lounge and kitchen area, tidying up ahead of the public's arrival.

"We're going to do a flag ceremony where we raise the inaugural flag," Sandry said. "The chief is going to say a few words, the mayor is going to say a few words and then we'll do a ribbon cutting in the front here, and we're going to drive an engine in as the ceremonial first apparatus in the bay."

Twelve firefighters will man the station.

The neighborhood association around the site and the city's nonprofit Fort Road Federation were among the opponents who went to court to stop the destruction sought by a St. Paul developer.

The firehouse dates to 1872, making it the oldest building in St. Paul, said Richard Duncan, an attorney representing the neighborhood group.

"It has historic significance because it dates back to the time when St. Paul had volunteer firefighters that actually constructed it and then the city took over its operations and it ran as a city firehouse for 100 years," he said.

"I would hope that either as an independent reuse or part of larger development — they have been mentioning a hotel development — that the building could be maintained, but take on a new life."

Each suit will include a Kevlar coat and pants, fire boots, gloves, helmet and hood.

The Clarksville department will use the $7,000 donation to purchase new confined space entry equipment, so crews can respond faster to confined space emergencies. This type of equipment is used during grain bin rescue operations. 

The money was donated by Flint Hills Resources Shell Rock.

“Firefighters play an essential role in protecting our communities,” said Garland Krabbenhoft, plant manager at Flint Hills Resources Shell Rock. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to help both departments purchase the equipment they need to help keep our local communities safe.”