Brooklyn Park Fire Chief: New Station Just The Beginning
Firefighting comes with a host of physical dangers — and according to Brooklyn Park Fire Chief Shawn Conway — some can be found in outdated fire stations.
For instance, in poorly ventilated garage bays, firefighters are often inhaling diesel fumes, leading to higher rates of cancer.
According to Conway, fixing those safety issues is a top priority as Brooklyn Park looks to rebuild its Central Fire Station.
“We want the people taking care of our community to have a long, prosperous and healthy career, and if we don’t address that now, that is just not possible,” he said.
The new station will be built on the former Hennepin County Library plot next to the Community Activity Center, about 200 yards from its current location.
It’s expected to cost about $46 million.
Conway says the design package for the station will be sent to contractors in the coming weeks to develop construction bids.
A rendering of the new fire station planned for construction in Brooklyn Park
“We’re really aiming to put a shovel in the ground and start the construction the last week of September, first part of October,” Conway said.
The existing station will be remodeled and turned into a senior center.
Conway says the city’s residents have offered “overwhelming support” for the project.
“People weren’t asking why we’re building this fire station,” Conway said. “Mostly I’ve received about ‘do you have the support you need to continue this process?’ And we are very grateful.”
Meanwhile, with development continuing in the city’s northwest corner, Conway says there will be a need to construct a new fire station.
The city’s other existing stations are also in need of a remodeling, Conway added.
