Mayor Daley Welcomes Residents to the Dedication of Engine 63 at a "Firehouse, Open House" Community Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 25, 2005

Mayor's Press Office - (312) 744-3334
Chicago Fire Department - (312) 745-4213

Montel Gayles (left), executive director of the Public Building Commission of Chicago, greets Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Cortez Trotter during a dedication ceremony for Engine Company 63 Firehouse. At right is Mayor Richard M. Daley.

Mayor Richard M. Daley, Chicago Fire Department Commissioner, Cortez Trotter and other city officials welcomed the Greater Grand Crossing Community to officially dedicate Engine 63 at the Fire Department's "Firehouse, Open House" events.

"Firehouses like this one serve as valuable resources for a community and contribute greatly to the safety and quality of life of its residents." Mayor Daley said to the residents at a the dedication of Engine 63 at 1440 E. 67th Street. He concluded by saying, "I encourage all of you to use this open house as an opportunity to get to know each other and get to know the members of the Chicago Fire Department that are working out of this facility.

"Today we are not only here to officially dedicate this firehouse but to introduce the community to their firefighters and paramedics and the many programs and services the Chicago Fire Department provides," said Fire Commissioner Cortez Trotter.

Engine 63 was built in October of 2003 becoming the first firehouse under Mayor Daley's Neighborhoods Alive 21 Program. At that time, it became the first new firehouse in the city.

This state-of-the-art facility includes a modern design to accommodate better living equipped with a fitness room and a complete remote training facility and office workspace that will not only be used by fire department members but will also be shared with the community where they can hold community meetings and workshops making new firehouses community anchors.

Along with the promise to make firehouse community anchors, the Chicago Fire Department recently launched a Firehouse, Open House program designed to open the doors of every firehouse to strengthen partnerships and build stronger bridges into the community.

Community residents, area organizations and local schools are part of the "Firehouse, Open House" events. The Firehouse, Open House will take place once per month during the warm weather months in various communities. By way of these events, both the community and local firehouses have an opportunity to work together and learn about each other. Local community groups are able to promote their programs to the community at large.