The 13,458-square foot, low profile station will be the replacement for the aging Parkwood Fire Station, which was built in the 1970s as a temporary fire station and fails to meet seismic standards for public safety buildings. The Jones Farm Fire Station is located at 2850 NE 25th Avenue on land leased from the Port of Portland.
“We have met the directive of our policy makers with the improved response times and services with this new station,” said Fire Chief Greg Nelson. “It will be serving the citizens of Hillsboro for decades.”
The facility was staffed with firefighters hired as a result of the Local Option Tax.. They moved from the Parkwood Fire Station.
The “soft opening” of the new station came without much fanfare today due to the recent spate of inclement weather. Workers from Northwest Industrial Services providing the moving vans and staff to move equipment and supplies from from other locations.
“We’re planning an open house for this summer when the weather is better and residents can enjoy coming by to meet the firefighters and tour the station,” said Public Information Officer Storm Smith.
The Jones Farm Fire Station was designed by Group Mackenzie of Portland. It was built by P-and-C Construction of Portland to LEED Gold energy efficient standards to help reduce utility costs and the city’s carbon footprint.
Construction costs of $3.2-million were funded by Recovery Zone Bonds that the City issued in November 2010. The bonds will be repaid over 20 years with Strategic Investment Program revenues.
In addition to the fire engine and crew, department leaders will move a battalion chief from the Downtown Fire Station and the ladder truck and crew from the Ronler Fire Station to Jones Farm. Crews arrived at their new station today and selected their lockers and bunk rooms.
“Centrally locating these other two resources will help us meet our response time goals within nationally recognized standards,” said Chief Nelson.
Hillsboro Fire and Rescue currently operates from five stations strategically located throughout the city to provide fire and emergency medical services to the more than 92,000 citizens.
