ALLEN -- Allen just opened a new $6 million fire station that will improve emergency response times.
Fire Station #5 will serve an area east of Custer Road from State Highway 121, south to Hedgecoxe Road.
It is one of the most eco-friendly fire stations in the country, using everything from geothermal heating and cooling to recycled tires and beer bottles.
Until Station #5 opened this week, homeowners who live on Allen's west side were served by a fire station three and a half miles away. Their average response time was eight minutes.
"We strive for a five minutes response time,” said Fire Chief Bill Hawley. “So what this allows us to do, is cut those response times down to about three and a half minutes to the far reaches of our community“.
When fires are burning or people are injured, minutes and seconds could save lives.
Megan Watson, who lives in Allen's far Northwest corner, welcomes her new neighbors.
"I'm very happy about it,” she said. “I'm concerned about the safety of our family. Fortunately, we've never had a fire or anything. But most people don't know when a fire is going to break out. So I'm really glad."
The McDermott family donated part of their farmland to the city. In return, they wanted the station to become an education tool for the community on how to save energy and protect the environment.
During the day, there is no need to turn on the lights at station #5. Natural lighting is sufficient.
The counter tops are made from recycled beer and wine bottles and porcelain sinks.
The wood panels come from a special forest.
“They don't clear cut,” said Chief Haley. “They go in and selectively harness. For every one they take down, they plant another one, so it's sustainable."
Several coffee tables and a large kitchen table were made from trees that came down when the station was built. The landscaping at the station doesn't require water. Even the artwork is comprised of recyclables. The artist used retired ladders.
E-mail sstoler@wfaa.com
