MIDLOTHIAN – The City of Midlothian recently celebrated the opening of a new fire station located on US Highway 287 and West Main Street (1900 West Main Street).
The new state-of-the-art station replaces the current Fire Station No. 1 on 8th Street.
That fire station was built in the mid-1960s when an all-volunteer fire department served Midlothian’s population of fewer than 2,500 residents.
Now with 43,000 residents, Midlothian has three fully equipped and staffed fire stations. This newest station offers expanded coverage for the growing west side of the city.
The fire station was approved by voters in 2017 at the cost of $8.1 million.
The station is utilizing the fleet of existing fire trucks, including a 100-foot aerial platform truck and ambulances.
It can accommodate up to 12 firefighters per shift.
The new facility is also equipped with a cutting-edge digital alerting system that expedites response to alarms by enabling the dispatcher to quickly identify the call type to rapidly deploy resources as needed.
The foyer of the fire station showcases the station’s 1918 Model T fire engine, which can be viewed by the public when personnel are present in the station.
At the recent grand opening of the new Fire Station No. 1, Midlothian Mayor Pro Tem Justin Coffman kicked off ceremonies by leading the audience in a blessing and dedication of the new 18,000-square-foot facility.
Firefighters also retired the American flag that flew over the now-vacated fire station on 8th Street. Instead of a ribbon-cutting ceremony, leaders participated in a fire hose uncoupling.
Finally, a team of firefighters pushed engine No. 1 into the apparatus bay, a tradition that dates back to the days when fire wagons were powered by horses who had difficulty walking backwards.
The Midlothian Fire Department employs 60 firefighters/paramedics that work in three different platoons.
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