Santa Rosa Fire Station No. 5 Grand Opening
Saturday, November 15, ushered in a new era for the Santa Rosa Fire Department as they celebrated the opening of Station No. 5. This celebration marked more than the opening of a new station. It represented years of effort, resilience, and dedication to rebuilding from the devastation of the October 2017 Tubbs fire.
The Tubbs fire burned for 23 consecutive days - covering 36,810 acres of land, destroying 5,600 structures, and tragically taking the lives of 22 people. While Santa Rosa firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the spread of the fire, they lost their own station and home-away-from-home, Station No. 5. Since 2017, the Santa Rosa and surrounding Sonoma County communities have worked together to rebuild what was lost to the fire. The community has come together to celebrate milestones both great and small, with the new Station 5 being a long-awaited achievement.
“This new station is more than brick, steel, and glass. It's a symbol of resilience and what it means to rise from loss and be stronger than before,” said Fire Chief Scott Westrope. “Every wall, every yard of concrete, every engine. Here stands a testament to the men and women that never stopped serving, even when they lost their workplace, their homes, and their sense of normalcy. But this station isn't just ours. It belongs to this community. You rallied behind us. You helped us heal.”
Since 2017, support for the Fire Department from the community has never wavered. This was evident at the grand opening as the station filled with community members, fire personnel past and present, City Council members, and other local, state, and Federal officials. Children in their firefighter costumes excitedly took the driver’s seat of the fire apparatus. Maverick, the station’s golden retriever and lab mix, politely greeted visitors as they toured the station.
“This is the first project we have worked on replacing a station that burned in a wildfire. For COAR, this project represents not just a state-of-the-art fire station but a replacement for that safe space for the fire personnel who work there. It also is a project that impacted each of the members of the design build team – many of whom lived within the County and were impacted by the fire as well,” said COAR Design Group Principal, Jeff Katz.
Throughout the station, pieces of art created by Captain Don Ricci are displayed with pride. They show images of brave fire fighters wielding axes, harrowing flames, and a recurring more unexpected motif – Looney Toons character Wile E. Coyote. Although faced with seemingly perpetual challenges, and a relentless enemy, Wile E. stands tall as a symbol of the crew’s never-ending optimism and tenacious drive to continue their efforts; no matter how many metaphorical punches they’ve taken.
Also displayed inside the station are the American flag and a burned helmet salvaged from the original station. These serve not just as reminders of the tragedy, but as symbols of the community’s ability to stand together and build from the ashes.
“The loss of station number five wasn't just physical. It has made it an emotional scar that we all share. Something that none of us will ever forget,” said California Senator Mark McGuire. “The Tubbs fire spared little in its path. But the strength of this city and the people who are the heart of Santa Rosa have proved indestructible. In those dark days, during the fire and in the months after, neighbors came together to help neighbors like never before. Firefighters and law enforcement, paramedics and doctors, fought the fire and saved lives while their own homes burned. The selflessness, the generosity, the grit. Santa Rosa was the bright light during some of the darkest days of our lifetime.”
Undoubtedly, every community member in attendance had their own personal story and memory of the Tubbs Fire, and its lasting effects on Sonoma County. Some lost homes and belongings, others housed friends needing to evacuate, and the community as a whole, everyone showed up in their own way to help those in need.
“Just a month ago, the Los Angeles Times wrote an article about all of the communities continuing to struggle to rebuild. But using Santa Rosa as the shining star of a community that could come back, that had come back better.” said Chris Rogers California State Assembly for the 2nd district. “It highlighted our community’s closeness and highlighted the heart that exists in our fire department, at City Hall, and in each and every one of our neighborhoods. And it's become very apparent as we talk to our colleagues that these ribbon cuttings, they're important for our community to be able to move forward. But it's just as important to everybody else who is still struggling to get home from their home disasters that they need to see Santa Rosa succeed.”
Event speakers and visitors all seemed to agree – this isn’t just a fire station, it is a home. This sentiment marked a turning point, symbolizing not just what the community has rebuilt, but what it’s determined to protect and preserve for generations to come.
Station No. 5 was designed to put the needs of both fire personnel and the community first. The new station is moved to a larger site than the original, allowing it to function as a forward command post and safe haven for residents in the event of a large-scale emergency. Durable, fire-resistant materials and finishes were selected throughout the interior and exterior of the station to decrease the risk of fire. The exterior tower stands as a symbol of the understated strength of the Santa Rosa community, and as a beacon of resilience for anyone who passes by.
“Fire station No. 5 is rebuilt,” California Senator Mark McGuire said. “It's not just that. It is a renewal. It's a rising, and it's rising is proof of who we are in Santa Rosa and in Sonoma County. When we're knocked down. Get back up. We're stronger than ever before. And we rally for neighbors in need. Are you with me? Santa Rosa. Let's go.”