By Robert Haugh

 

In keeping up with the growing needs of core neighborhood services and keeping pace with modern technologies, The City of Santa Clara recently celebrated yet another milestone in active community development, opening the newly revamped Fire Station No. 4 on Pruneridge Avenue.

 

Finished on-time and under budget, the project was completed with $50,000 to spare.

 

The 5,611 square-foot facility features an array of modern amenities and sophisticated technology required for operating a high-quality and successful fire station.

 

 “We’ve tried to keep our fire department at pace to keep up with technology and the growing needs of the community,” said Mayor Patricia Mahan at the grand opening ceremony. “We hope that the new Fire Station 4 helps you even more in your mission.”

 

Amenities include a Captain’s office, a kitchen with stainless steel countertops, living room, six dorms featuring 12 beds, restrooms with showers, an apparatus bay (for fire engine and related maintenance), an exercise room, shop area, storage areas and more.

 

In addition to modern amenities for the firefighters and modern technology, allowing firefighters to more quickly respond to emergencies, the station features several photovoltaic, green-friendly cells on the roof, providing ample clean electricity, becoming one of the most innovative fire stations in the West Coast.

 

“The fire department has been an important part of this neighborhood since 1958. Like one would expect, in 50 years, a lot has changed,” said Deputy Fire Chief William Kelly, who was the project manager for the fire department and Master of Ceremonies at the grand opening ceremony.

 

“It’s modern facilities like this one that help to provide us with the opportunity to best serve the community.”

 

City Manager Jennifer Sparacino spoke about the immense cooperation between City departments. “The cooperation between all the City departments on this project was outstanding … This is really the result of a long-term plan, involving many, many people.”

 

“Most important, this project, like all others in recent years, has come in on-time and under budget.”

 

Santa Clara Fire Chief Phil Kleinheinz added that earlier in the station’s life, Santa Clara voters lined in voting between JFK and Nixon --- the closet election in U.S.

“The purpose of fire stations is to provide an umbrella of safety to our residents.” However, he continues, “This is much more than just a house for firefighters, it’s a community center serving your community.”

 

“Look past the steel, wood and paint and see a tradition of neighborhood service,” concluded Kleinheinz.

 

The completion of Fire Station No. 4 marks the fifth new or remodeled fire station in Santa Clara in the last six years --- Fire Station No. 2 and the adjacent training center, Fire Station No. 6 and Fire Station No. 3 were all recently completed projects as well.

 

The original Fire Station 4 was built 50 years ago in 1958 following immense growth in Santa Clara after WWII, when Santa Clara experienced a ten-fold increase in population.

 

The new station will help Santa Clara fire fighters respond to over 8,000 emergency calls per year with an average response time of less than three minutes.