Saturday, November 20, 2010

San Jose Opens New Station for Engine Co. 19


For the second weekend in a row, the San Jose Fire Department has held a grand opening for a new fire station. On Saturday morning, Nov. 20, the San Jose Fire Department held an open house and ribbon-cutting for their new Fire Station No. 19. The new building is located on Sierra Road at the southwest corner of Piedmont Road.

Fire Station 19 has relocated from their existing address at the corner of Piedmont Road and Penitencia Creek Road. In March 2002, the City of San Jose voters passed the Neighborhood Security Bond Act that approved the issuance of General Obligation bonds to fund the construction of public safety facilities. Fire Station 19 was one of the stations selected for relocation as part of the program to improve service delivery.

The new Fire Station 19 is a two-story, 6,049 square-foot, single-company fire station with two apparatus bays. Construction started in September 2008 and was completed over the summer.

Fire Associates President John Whitaker was in attendance on a rainy and blustery day. But that didn't dampen the spirits of the local community, as an estimated 200 people were in attendance. Included in the gathering were San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, San Jose City Council Members Kansen Chu and Ash Kalara, San Jose Fire Chief Willie McDonald, Milpitas Fire Chief Brian Sturdivant, and many members of the San Jose Fire Department senior staff. SJFD Assistant Fire Chief Teresa Deloach-Reed acted as emcee for the event.