Ringing in the new

Oswego debuts modern firehouse

A firefighter rang the bell, as 3-year-old Tyler was seated behind the wheel of a 1937 vintage fire engine in front of Oswego's new $9.4 million fire station at 3511 Woolley Road.

"We just moved to Oswego and wanted to see the new station," mom Amy Johns said.

The Oswego Fire Protection District on Sunday invited people to tour Central Station No. 1 during a three-hour open house.

The two-story brick building is architecturally reminiscent of Chicago's old fire houses, with a bell tower and arched doors. An entry museum features some of the department's historic artifacts and photographs. The station has two fire poles.

The 43,987-square foot building was designed to house all administrative and support functions, as well as 16 firefighter/paramedics per shift.

Battalion Chief Bill Perkins said the administrative offices had been spread among the district's four stations, because of restricted space at the downtown Main Street fire station that had served the community since 1952. Some of the apparatus had to be relocated, as well.

"It was like having the administration of a business spread across 63 square miles -- the flow didn't work very well. This makes a world of a difference," Perkins said.

"Try backing a ladder truck in with cars parked in the spaces," he said of the old downtown quarters. Firefighters took their last call from the Main Street fire station three weeks ago.

The first floor has 12 offices, apparatus bays and a community/training room that can accommodate 188 people, while the second level has the living quarters, mechanical services and workout rooms.

The district issued 20-year bonds to finance the construction.

"We are not using tax money to finance the construction. The district receives about $1 million (annually) in ambulance fees alone," said Jim Detzler, president of the board of trustees, who was fire chief from 1968 to 1988.

Many of the firefighters who started with the Main Street fire station were volunteers and businessmen in downtown Oswego.

"We really outgrew the downtown," said Fire Chief Brad Smith.

"It was difficult to get out of downtown because of the main intersections. This station is in the middle of our fire protection district.

"You have to remember, you build things now for at least 75 to 100 years down the road."

About 750 people toured the new fire station on Sunday.