Celebrations were in order as Coon Rapids marked the opening of its new public safety asset, Fire Station #3. Mayor Jerry Koch, flanked by council members and community figures, inaugurated the facility with pomp, opting to replace the traditional ribbon-cutting with the spray of a fire hose—a gesture befitting the station's purpose.
The station is designed to be a state-of-the-art hub for firefighters, featuring six apparatus bays, a control room, and a hose tower. In an effort to ensure that the firefighters have space not only to work but to live well, dedicated areas for training and quarters tailored for health and wellness have been included. In a statement obtained by the City of Coon Rapids Minnesota Facebook page, the significance of these features was highlighted.
Though the grand opening has passed, residents who wish to see the facility firsthand will not have missed their chance. The city has extended an invitation to the community to come and check out the new station at an open-house event planned for next month. Interested parties can find the details of the event on the city's Fire Department Open House page.
With the launch of Fire Station #3, Coon Rapids aims to showcase an investment not just in the machinery of public safety, but in the well-being of those who wear the uniform.