On lucky Saturday the 13th in November, after 10 years of coping with a superabundance of codes, regulations, environmental concerns — real or imagined — money shortfall, etc., the Key Peninsula Fire Department finally was able to hold an open house opening day ceremony for its station at Wauna.
KPFD’s Training Division chief, Paul Bosch said, “Although firefighters have been responding out of the station for two months, Saturday was the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.”
About a hundred citizens, firefighters and distinguished guests attended the event.
Fire Chief Eric Livingood Nelsen acknowledged many distinguished guests during the event’s opening, including retired fire chiefs Horace Kanno and Donald Olson and former chief Gary Franz, former commissioners Hugh McMillan, Ed Taylor, Ruth Bramhall and Art Fenton and current 26th Legislative District Rep. Lois McMahan. Commissioners Fred Ramsdell and James Bosch cut the ribbon, officially opening the station.
Architect John Scherer of John Scherer and Associates and construction contractor Greg Baily of Baily-Berg Construction Inc. were presented plaques of appreciation. Guests were invited to tour the new facility. On display was a new fire engine assigned to the Wauna station. The “E-One” engine is a state-of-the-art pumper that carries 1,000 gallons of water. The station houses one fire engine and one water tender truck. It also has two open apparatus bays for future additions or relocation of fire and aid vehicles.
Chief Bosch said, “The station is home to up to five volunteer residents who live in it rent free, in exchange for which Wauna-area citizens are served by having firefighters respond immediately in times of emergency. Without resident volunteers, responses would be delayed while firefighters drove from their homes to the station to retrieve apparatus to respond to emergency locations.”
In a closing ceremony honoring the occasion, an American flag contributed by Key Peninsula’s VFW Post 4990 was poignantly raised by VFW District Four’s Honor Guard before a hushed audience.
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