As you drive down 10th Street these days, you might notice a significant something new. A space that once occupied an open field and an old farmhouse is now home to the new Waconia Fire Station, a grand (29,000 square feet to be exact), state-of-the-art, fittingly fire-engine-red headquarters for those we hold in high esteem and endless gratitude for their selfless commitment to the safety of our community. At first glance, this is a building that imaginative kids’ dreams are made of… And coincidentally, it’s a dream come true for the thoughtful and hard-working people who have brought it to life.
In early 2021, the city launched a study to assess the fire department’s needs and began searching for potential locations for a new station. In October of that year, those findings were presented to the City Council, and the decision was made to proceed with the project. The design process promptly began, groundbreaking took place in September of 2023, and the department officially moved in on July 8th. “The community has been extremely supportive of the project from start to finish, and everyone who has had the chance to visit or tour has been very impressed,” Fire Chief Justin Sorenson shares. “It is an investment in the community and its people by ensuring the firefighters have such an exceptional facility.”
And exceptional it is.
The station is outfitted with technology and current best practices in fire station facilities such as:
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A large training room that can seat 80 people, and if the need arises, it can also serve as an emergency operations center. Previously, the city didn’t have any dedicated space for this function.
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An expanded office space with a conference room to accommodate current and future administrative staffing.
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A kitchen, dining, and dayroom with an attached outdoor patio for crews to share meals, rest, and recover from big calls–or to wait for their next one.
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Six bunk rooms with personal locker space to accommodate future overnight staffing models. Currently, these are being used by some overnight duty officers.
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A personnel decontamination area with steam showers to reduce firefighters’ exposure to carcinogens, as well as a separate laundry to wash contaminated uniforms.
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Drive-through apparatus bays with a vehicle exhaust system and storage for equipment, making it easily deployable for faster response.
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A turnout gear storage room with isolated ventilation to limit exposure to vehicle exhaust and sunlight, improving its longevity.
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An equipment decontamination room that allows for the cleaning of equipment and washing and drying of turnout gear, helping to minimize firefighters’ exposure to carcinogens from contamination during fires.
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A training mezzanine with window and door openings that can be filled with training smoke to simulate and practice skills.
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A three-story training tower with a training standpipe that enables firefighters to practice ladders and hose evolutions.
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A large parking area for training evolutions and apparatus operator training.
There’s not a shortage of reasons to be proud of this community, and as our heroic fire department settles into its new home, we embrace the joy and fulfillment that comes with it. These selfless individuals work tirelessly to protect us, so it’s only appropriate that they have an innovative facility that ensures their safety and honors their unwavering dedication.
There will still be field trips and pancake breakfasts, and this holiday season, Santa Claus will visit the station, making it the perfect time for you to come and see the new station for yourself!
It is an investment in the community and its people by ensuring the firefighters have such an exceptional facility.