Brownwood Fire Department Begins Moving to New Station

It’s moving day for the Brownwood Fire Department administration. According to City Manager Bobby Rountree, administration will test out the building for a couple of weeks before firemen begin moving into the building to complete the department’s move. BFD Assistant Chief Grady Shuey stated that BFD administration hopes to be fully set up today.

The new Central Fire Station is located on W. Adams Street between South Congress and Greenleaf, adjacent to the Lehnis Railroad Museum and across from the Adams Street Community Center and Depot Cultural Center. The building has been under construction for over a year, so this day has come with much anticipation.

The building has been customized through many interesting features. The sidewalk at the right side of the building has a display of antique fire hydrants dating back to the 1870s, which were all at one time utilized in Brownwood. Shuey stated that Assistant Division Director of Public Works/Director of Utilities David Harris helped to gather the collection for the station.

Visitors are greeted with a huge Brownwood Fire Department logo on the flooring of the foyer. Desks and other office furniture have been assembled and firemen are working on a custom dining table for the living quarters. The table, with local fire hydrants for legs, has a wooden top that is being made by the department’s own firemen. Many other custom items will soon decorate the building such as old fire ladders in the form of a fireman’s cross along with large photos of the old fire station, which will hang on the walls of the building’s tall foyer.

Another special feature of the station, a time capsule, is located within the wall cavity of the living room of the station. A plaque will be hung on the wall that states, “open this wall October 21, 2064,” which even has directions and measurements of how to cut the wall out to access the complex.

There are 6 personnel per shift currently at Station 1 and Shuey explained that the new station has living quarters for eight that will allow for expansion of crews. There are also four unisex bathrooms, each with a shower, toilet and sink for privacy for male or female firefighters.

The Chief has living quarters with his own separate office and bedroom with a television. Firemen’s quarters are open concept, have a desk with internet access, and lockers. A large television will be available for firemen in the common living area that is an open concept kitchen, living and dining area.

The building has colorful walls, some carpeting and wood look laminate flooring through the living areas and hallways. There is even a large classroom suitable for meetings or staff/volunteer training. The building also has special features including red lights throughout the living quarters and shower areas to alert firemen when they are needed on a call, and special hallways with an air lock leading to the bunker room which separate the exterior from the living areas/administrative offices. On the left side of the building there is also a nice sized porch which will have a grill for the firemen to enjoy.

There have been a couple of setbacks with problems with the heating and air conditioning system, some plumbing issues, problems with the staining of the concrete floor and a delay in the cabinetry installation, according to city officials. Despite the delays, now that the department is moving in, everyone is thrilled.

“I’m definitely excited,” said Shuey. “I have been working here for 28 years and never thought I would be standing in a new building like this. I’m not knocking the old building; it was good for being built back in the 60s. This is a modern building; it’s clean and new and nice, a lot more efficient.”

Everyone in the department appeared very proud of the new building. Shuey stated that now the Brownwood Fire Department will have a building that will be an example for other departments considering their own facility improvements. “We hope to have a lot of visitors, fire chiefs who are thinking about building a new station can look at ours and see what we have done.”

The department is planning to host a dedication ceremony at the end of April or first part of May. The ceremony will be complete with flag raising, placement of a Masonic stone and will host uncoupling ceremony on the bay, which is like a ribbon cutting for the station. The honor guard is planning to attend along with bagpipers.

Pictured above and below are photos of the new Central Station as move in began.