How Did Hiawatha Fire Department Significantly Cut Response Time?

When I see new fire stations being built I’m always a fan.  The community is making an investment and it will pay dividends.  New stations cut down on response time to a sometimes already taxed department.  The way stations are being built now are much better than when I was volunteering.  Singular sleeping pods, no need for a large bunkroom where snoring could keep you up.  I’m not calling anyone out but if you knew Shakey, he could saw some logs.  Plus they offer fitness areas, laundry facilities, sustainable designs, and more.   

When I was 15, I lived in a suburb of Washington, DC, where the rapid growth of the community was leading to a surge in volunteer EMT/firefighters. My friend, who was also 15, had joined the Hyattstown Volunteer Fire Department Stations 9 & 29, which served our community of Germantown, which is neither a city nor a town. He told me that if I got written permission from my mom, I could join too. By that afternoon, I had my mom's permission and was meeting with the assistant chief that evening. 

My passion for being an EMT/Firefighter had been sparked as a kid by a show called Emergency!—a series that inspired many in the emergency medical and fire service. I still enjoy watching it today.  

Once I joined the department, I had access to free classes offered by Montgomery County. At 16, with my mom's consent once again, I enrolled in an EMT advanced course, which was a class for paid recruits. If there was an open slot volunteers could fill that space. Though I couldn't ride as a charge until I turned 18, I was officially an EMT at 16. While waiting for the EMT class I fit two firefighting classes in Fire 1 & II.  So many memories and good times while volunteering.   

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You can see the exact location of the new station from the Google Street view below.

The new station in Hiawatha doubled the number of fire stations in the community and it didn’t raise taxes.  Fire Station #2 cost $6.1 million and was paid for through a local option sales tax.  Stop in and ask for a tour, as a taxpayer this is your fire station.  You may want to call ahead to make sure they're gonna be there.  Support your local fire and EMS services with a wave and smile, and check your smoke detectors twice a year.