New fire stations
Catlett, VA
It had been 19 years since I spent any amount of time at the Catlett Volunteer Fire Company in Fauquier County, VA. In 1989 it was under very tragic circumstances, covering the deaths of two firefighters when their fire engine was struck by an Amtrak train.
By contrast, my visit Saturday was a very happy occasion. Now merged with the Cedar Run Volunteer Rescue Squad, Catlett Volunteer Fire & Rescue has a brand new building. Inside the sprawling complex, there is a memorial to Jay Mark Miller and Matthew B. Smith and the loss of the two firefighters was noted during the dedication ceremony.
Other than the persistent rain, the only real negative about the event, was the audience being subjected to the ramblings and rantings of some fire service blogger.
Congratulations to everyone in Catlett on the new firehouse and a new pumper.
Takoma Park, MD
While I don’t know for sure, looking at the picture below and the number of politicians on hand for Thursday’s groundbreaking of the new Takoma Park, MD fire station, listening to a speech by Dave Statter during the brief Catlett ceremony, may have been a better deal (just kidding).
The Takoma Park Volunteer Fire Department has the oldest station in the Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service. The new station, seen in the drawings below, will be on the same site and is scheduled for completion in 2010. A temporary building has been set up for use until the new firehouse is ready.
The pictures at the groundbreaking are from 9NEWS NOW assignment editor and Takoma Park resident Alan Henney.
