Construction on the new Brownwood Central Fire Station is moving along as scheduled, and Brownwood Fire Department officials have added a little piece of history to the new station for future generations.
Brownwood Fire Chief Del Albright and Assistant Chief Grady Shuey, along with Project Manager Tim Wilson from Waldrop Construction, unveiled a time capsule that is being added inside of the walls of the new station. Interior drywall is currently being installed at the new station and a small space inside the wall of the living area/kitchen seemed like the perfect place to save current fire department items for the future to see.
“We thought it would be a good idea for someone 50 years from now to open it up and see what life was like at the station,” Albright said.
Items such as uniforms, firefighter shirts, a helmet, boot, memorabilia, patches, pins, photos and firefighter magazines are just some of the items that will be included in this time capsule.
The items will be sealed inside of the wall by sheetrock within the next few days and a plaque will mark the spot to be opened on October 1st, 2064.
“It is interesting for us looking back on the old firefighters and the equipment they had and how it’s changed. Everything changes so fast in the fire service,” Shuey said. “We think it will be interesting for them 50 years later to see what we used.”
Construction on the new fire station, located on Adams Street, continues and is expected to be completed by September 1st. Once completed, Albright said that they will slowly transition and move over to the new location from the current central station located on the corner of Austin Avenue and Main Street. He said that the firefighters are looking forward to the move and the new building.
“I think we are all thrilled, we are real happy with Waldrop Construction and the work they are doing,” Albright said. “It is a beautiful looking building and I think it is going to be a really good addition to the community.”
Once open, the station will be available for public tours and will feature photos and history from the Brownwood Fire Department, Shuey said.
Pictured at top: Shuey, Wilson and Albright show off the time capsule inside the wall of the new fire station.
