Reprint from the Progress Times - October 12, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

New central station nears completion

 

The City of Mission’s new central fire station is scheduled for completion by the early part of December, according to City Manager Julio Cerda.
The new station, which will be located 415 West Tom Landry, will be a combination central fire station and emergency operation center. It will be approximately 23,000 square feet, comes at a rough cost of $3.5 million, and it will not only house fire operations but administration offices as well.
Fire Chief Ricardo Saldana says the new station will allow the fire department to react and provide services for a broader range of emergency situations.
"The concept we have set up is one where the emergency operations center will be able to transition into a training facility," said Saldana. "At a moment’s notice we will be able to convert the training area into an emergency operations center."
The new building will also feature increased dormitory space for on-duty fire fighters, a physical fitness room, conference room and media room.
"We will have a large conference room that will also serve as a breakout area that will allow department heads or city officials to make decisions in a calm environment," said Saldana.
When not in use in an emergency situation, the room will be utilized as a training library and study area for fire fighters.
The new station will also provide the department with space for amateur radio operators to come in and operate in the event of a traditional communications failure. A state-of-the-art security and entry system will bring the department in compliance with Homeland Security guidelines.
The Fire Marshal’s division will also benefit from a room especially designed for interrogation of suspects made in fire investigations.
"We’re very proud of the outcome of this building in the sense that it is a top-notch facility for our area," said Saldana. "It will meet the needs of the city. This building will grow as the city grows."
Construction for the project, which was funded by the Mission Redevelopment Authority, began in January of this year.