Ashland Fire Station Opens

After Forty Years a New Station Opens

After 94 years at the historic Ellis Fire Station, it was time to move on to bigger and better things. The city of Ashland opened the doors of a, new state of the art, fire station facility Friday afternoon. 

Debra Lewis, Mayor of Ashland says, “It’s one of those historic days, once in a lifetime kind of days. You only get to see something like this happen once every several decades.”

It wasn’t an easy battle getting the new fire station. It took nearly 40 years of fighting, after several voices of the community felt a new station wasn’t necessary. It wasn’t until the old station became inadequate and not up to code that the community felt it was time for a new station. 

Wayne Chenier, Fire Chief of Ashland says, “It’s a beautiful building and our staff is grateful that the community stepped up. Were excited, I’m excited, that we’re going to have a building that lasts decades.”

The fighter fighters celebrated by lowering the colors at Ellis, and having members of the Ashland Fire Department and community walk to the new station. Once everyone arrived, new flags were raised, followed by an entrance ceremony.

It wasn’t even five minutes into the ceremony before the fire department got its first call at the new station.

Mayor of Ashland, Debra Lewis said, “”It’s really telling how committed this department is and how professional the guy are and the women. It wasn’t even five minutes and several of them had to leave.”

This is the first time the City of Ashland will have a fully equipped community emergency response center as needed, with 13 pieces of equipment and apparatus,something previously lacking in the community.

The ceremony ended Friday afternoon with the vehicles parking in the garage and tours of the new station.