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27 September 2024
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Fire stations of the world: Mauldin Fire Department unveils new $7.5 million headquarters, US
Mauldin Fire Department’s new building on West Butler Road is the new headquarters for the Mauldin Fire Department. The old Headquarters building at 9 East Butler Road is closed and awaits its final disposition by the Mauldin City Council. The new location will allow better coverage by the Fire Department for the new homes and businesses in the fast-growing western part of Mauldin. The new building’s Grand Opening was held on 19 April 2024. The ceremony included speeches by a number of people, including Mauldin’s Fire Chief and Mayor.
Designed by Stewart Cooper Newell Architects and built by CloverLeaf Construction, the new facility, which cost $7 million, replaces the previous headquarters located about one mile east next to Mauldin City Hall. At nearly 21,000 square feet, the new headquarters is double the size of the previous 10,000 square-foot facility and has an additional truck bay, the release stated.
The new HQ includes the following features:
The new station will strengthen fire protection in the fast-growing western portion of Mauldin and give the fire department room for more personnel to meet the increasing demand for services, the release stated. Officials say it is another step toward improving emergency response times and providing top-tier public safety services to every corner of the City and fire service area.
“I’m thrilled to witness the unveiling of our new fire station headquarters and commemorate a significant achievement for our growing community,” said Council Member Carol King, chair of the Public Safety Committee, in the release. “This new facility represents the City’s profound commitment to safeguarding the public, enhancing emergency response and giving our dedicated firefighters the tools and resources they need to do their jobs effectively.”
Fire Chief Brian McHone noted that the Mauldin Fire Department recently purchased two new fire trucks and the first one-hundred-foot ladder truck. The bigger ladder truck will become increasingly necessary as multi-storey buildings are built in Mauldin. Two new quick response vehicles, for medical response, will soon be joining the Fire Department, as well. The Chief also noted some of the recent equipment upgrades, as well as planned upgrades and new turnout gear over the next few years. “We are actually getting two new QRVs (Quick Response Vehicles),” McHone said. “They are going to be medical QRVs, instead of running these engines around doing medical stuff we are actually going to use the QRVs to be able to do that and take the mileage and stuff off these trucks and the wear and tear.”
Mauldin leaders said close to 25 000 people currently live in the area that they serve. In a 48-hour shift McHone said they typically receive 30 to 40 calls.
Chief McHone presented some interesting numbers that put the Fire Department’s accomplishments into a poignant perspective: for the four years of 2020-2023, the cost of Mauldin’s Fire Department was about $5 000 000. But the estimated amount saved by residents and businesses in the City due to the Fire Department’s services is over $124 000 000, quite an economic savings!
Firemen have a number of traditional ceremonies of their own. One of those is the “Uncoupling Ceremony.” Both the Grand Opening ceremony’s speakers and members of the Fire Department participated.
The old Headquarters had become somewhat cramped over the years, as the City has grown in size and the Fire Department’s responsibilities have increased due to that growth.
The big new bays, with lots of room for trucks and equipment, of course, are the most obvious change.
But the facilities for the firemen are much more spacious in the new building as well. Of key importance is the changing room. After returning from a call, clothing and equipment usually needs to be cleaned. The new cleaning room makes life a lot easier for firemen cleaning up after a fire. A bit of rest and relaxation after a call reduces the impact of stresses endured in the line of duty. A fireman stays on the job twenty-four hours a day for several days. The Firehouse kitchen lets them easily prepare decent meals during that time.
Other rooms provide the technical support the Fire Department needs to be efficient and responsive. That includes a watch room and supervisory offices.
The new Headquarters building will include a Mauldin Police substation. Police support is provided for all fire calls, to assure the firemens’ and the victims’ safety.
Tradition and mutual support and dependence on team members are cornerstones of a Firehouse’s operation. The new Firehouse supports those attitudes, in a number of ways. Sometimes, a Firehouse must honour the memory of comrades who have fallen in the line of duty.
Mauldin residents are the beneficiaries of the Fire Department’s determination to provide three-minute response times, anywhere in the City. That high level of performance does not come easily or by chance. It requires the Fire Stations, the equipment, the training and most of all the people who make up the Mauldin Fire Department .
History
The Mauldin Fire Department was established in 1958 by a group of men that were determined to help save lives and property. It all started in a town with a one-mile radius and a population so small everyone knew each other. The only fire protection Mauldin had came from Donaldson Air Force Base. The base would fight structure fires but left the grass fires and field fires to the local men. It was obvious to the local people that the growing community of Mauldin needed a fire department of its own.
In April of 1959, City Council appointed a committee of three men to organize a volunteer fire department. The first truck obtained by the city was a 1943 International, an old army surplus truck that had nothing but a hatchet and 150-feet of old hose. Local people donated tires and other equipment to get the truck running. The first Mauldin Volunteer Fire Station was an old, unused vocational building donated by the school system.
Today, the Mauldin Fire Department operates out of 4 stations which are staffed by more than 50 dedicated public safety professionals. The fire department proudly serves a population approaching 40,000 residents, living in an area of 23.5 square miles which includes the City of Mauldin and the Mauldin Fire Service Area in Greenville County. The Mauldin Fire Department is currently a Class 1 ISO rating.
Sources: Mauldin Fire Department, Simpsonville Sentinel, 7 News
Designed by Stewart Cooper Newell Architects and built by CloverLeaf Construction, the new facility, which cost $7 million, replaces the previous headquarters located about one mile east next to Mauldin City Hall. At nearly 21,000 square feet, the new headquarters is double the size of the previous 10,000 square-foot facility and has an additional truck bay, the release stated.
The new HQ includes the following features:
- Three truck bays
- Expanded space for training props in the bay area
- Community/training room that can hold 30-plus people
- Decontamination area with a washroom and turnout gear room
- Weight room for firefighter training
- Patio for firefighters
- Police sub-station for community division.
The new station will strengthen fire protection in the fast-growing western portion of Mauldin and give the fire department room for more personnel to meet the increasing demand for services, the release stated. Officials say it is another step toward improving emergency response times and providing top-tier public safety services to every corner of the City and fire service area.
“I’m thrilled to witness the unveiling of our new fire station headquarters and commemorate a significant achievement for our growing community,” said Council Member Carol King, chair of the Public Safety Committee, in the release. “This new facility represents the City’s profound commitment to safeguarding the public, enhancing emergency response and giving our dedicated firefighters the tools and resources they need to do their jobs effectively.”
Fire Chief Brian McHone noted that the Mauldin Fire Department recently purchased two new fire trucks and the first one-hundred-foot ladder truck. The bigger ladder truck will become increasingly necessary as multi-storey buildings are built in Mauldin. Two new quick response vehicles, for medical response, will soon be joining the Fire Department, as well. The Chief also noted some of the recent equipment upgrades, as well as planned upgrades and new turnout gear over the next few years. “We are actually getting two new QRVs (Quick Response Vehicles),” McHone said. “They are going to be medical QRVs, instead of running these engines around doing medical stuff we are actually going to use the QRVs to be able to do that and take the mileage and stuff off these trucks and the wear and tear.”
Mauldin leaders said close to 25 000 people currently live in the area that they serve. In a 48-hour shift McHone said they typically receive 30 to 40 calls.
Chief McHone presented some interesting numbers that put the Fire Department’s accomplishments into a poignant perspective: for the four years of 2020-2023, the cost of Mauldin’s Fire Department was about $5 000 000. But the estimated amount saved by residents and businesses in the City due to the Fire Department’s services is over $124 000 000, quite an economic savings!
Firemen have a number of traditional ceremonies of their own. One of those is the “Uncoupling Ceremony.” Both the Grand Opening ceremony’s speakers and members of the Fire Department participated.
The old Headquarters had become somewhat cramped over the years, as the City has grown in size and the Fire Department’s responsibilities have increased due to that growth.
The big new bays, with lots of room for trucks and equipment, of course, are the most obvious change.
But the facilities for the firemen are much more spacious in the new building as well. Of key importance is the changing room. After returning from a call, clothing and equipment usually needs to be cleaned. The new cleaning room makes life a lot easier for firemen cleaning up after a fire. A bit of rest and relaxation after a call reduces the impact of stresses endured in the line of duty. A fireman stays on the job twenty-four hours a day for several days. The Firehouse kitchen lets them easily prepare decent meals during that time.
Other rooms provide the technical support the Fire Department needs to be efficient and responsive. That includes a watch room and supervisory offices.
The new Headquarters building will include a Mauldin Police substation. Police support is provided for all fire calls, to assure the firemens’ and the victims’ safety.
Tradition and mutual support and dependence on team members are cornerstones of a Firehouse’s operation. The new Firehouse supports those attitudes, in a number of ways. Sometimes, a Firehouse must honour the memory of comrades who have fallen in the line of duty.
Mauldin residents are the beneficiaries of the Fire Department’s determination to provide three-minute response times, anywhere in the City. That high level of performance does not come easily or by chance. It requires the Fire Stations, the equipment, the training and most of all the people who make up the Mauldin Fire Department .
History
The Mauldin Fire Department was established in 1958 by a group of men that were determined to help save lives and property. It all started in a town with a one-mile radius and a population so small everyone knew each other. The only fire protection Mauldin had came from Donaldson Air Force Base. The base would fight structure fires but left the grass fires and field fires to the local men. It was obvious to the local people that the growing community of Mauldin needed a fire department of its own.
In April of 1959, City Council appointed a committee of three men to organize a volunteer fire department. The first truck obtained by the city was a 1943 International, an old army surplus truck that had nothing but a hatchet and 150-feet of old hose. Local people donated tires and other equipment to get the truck running. The first Mauldin Volunteer Fire Station was an old, unused vocational building donated by the school system.
Today, the Mauldin Fire Department operates out of 4 stations which are staffed by more than 50 dedicated public safety professionals. The fire department proudly serves a population approaching 40,000 residents, living in an area of 23.5 square miles which includes the City of Mauldin and the Mauldin Fire Service Area in Greenville County. The Mauldin Fire Department is currently a Class 1 ISO rating.
Sources: Mauldin Fire Department, Simpsonville Sentinel, 7 News
