VAN BUREN (KFSM) - A new $2.25 million dollar fire station is open in Van Buren, allowing the department to better serve the city.
The new station was built in the northeastern part of town, which is an area that is seeing a lot of growth currently, according to Mayor Bob Freeman. With the new station, the entire Van Buren Fire Department will be able to keep their response times low.
"It's critical for any incident for us to be there as quickly as possible," Staff Officer Stanley Clark said. "Just a minute or two can make a difference in a house fire. The quicker that we can get there and get to work the less damaged the house will be. But time is even more precious with all of the medical calls we go out on. Minutes really count on a persons life."
The new fire station was one of several projects voters approved funding for in 2012. Other projects include the new police station and senior center, as well as improvements to area parks. Crews are currently working on all of those projects.
Firefighters and city leaders will be celebrating the grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday morning (July 25) at 10 a.m., at the new facility. It's located at 1234 E. Northridge Drive. Clark said everyone is welcome to come out for the big day.