Mayor Daley Cuts Ribbon At New Fire Station

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 22, 2005
Mayor's Press Office - (312) 744-3334
Public Building Commission - (312) 744-9277
Chicago Fire Department - (312) 745-4213

Fire Engine Company 38 Facility Includes Enhanced Communications & Technology

Mayor Richard M. Daley today unveiled the new Engine Company 38 Fire Station, a facility that will bring the latest in fire fighting technology and communication to Chicago residents.

This new facility includes a modern design to accommodate better living, remote training and an office workspace. The new $6.1 million fire station, located at 3949 W. 16th Street, was built by the Public Building Commission of Chicago (PBC), chaired by Mayor Richard M. Daley.

"This wonderful, modern facility will use the latest technology to address the safety and emergency response rescue needs of the people it serves. Today's firehouses are built with both firefighters and the community in mind," said Mayor Daley. "This is a facility the community can be proud of because it's an example of the city's continued effort to promote fire safety and make every neighborhood of Chicago a safer, better place to live, work and raise families," Mayor Daley added.

The one-story, 17,500-square-foot facility will house the Chicago Fire Department's 4th District Headquarters and accommodate three shifts totaling about 50 firefighters and officers replacing the old Engine Company 38 station at 2111 S. Hamlin Avenue, a facility that was built in 1915, officials said.

Joining the Mayor for the ribbon-cutting of the new fire station were Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Cortez Trotter; Montel Gayles, Executive Director of the Public Building Commission; PBC board members Michael Scott, Dr. Robert B. Donaldson and Theodore Tetzlaff; and Ald. Michael Chandler (24th).

"This new firehouse is in line with our mission to build new state of the art city facilities to better serve Chicago's residents," said Montel Gayles, Executive Director of the Public Building Commission. "The new station will include a modern command center to facilitate emergency communications and an interior design that emphasizes safety and comfort for firefighters and paramedics."

"When Mayor Daley appointed me Fire Commissioner, I said I would modernize firehouses to meet the demands of a new fire service culture," said Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Cortez Trotter. "This new firehouse not only ensures we carry out our new training, technology and physical fitness initiatives, but it also supports our commitment to communities as these new firehouses become anchors throughout Chicago and its neighborhoods."

The Engine Company 38 fire station offers greater work environment features for Fire Department members and the community:

• A new training area increases education capabilities inside the firehouse without taking companies out of service each time they are scheduled for training.
  
• New District Four Office space conference area will accommodate community meetings.
  
• Locker room and bathroom facilities accommodate the needs of both men and women.
  
• A fully equipped workout facility to enhance health and fitness levels throughout the department.
  
• Convenient, oversized garage doors to accommodate today's larger emergency vehicles along with a circular driveway to make it faster and safer for vehicles to leave and re-enter the building.