City Scoop Extra

A small group of Greeley’s on-duty firefighters gathered a couple of weeks ago to lower the flag above Fire Station #2 and to say goodbye.

Last November work started to build a replacement for the aging fire station, located at the intersection of 23rd Avenue and Reservoir Road. A crucial station in Greeley’s network, Fire Station #2 runs about 2,500 calls a year. And the old station no longer met the needs of the all-hazards emergency response agency Greeley Fire Department grew into.

Lowering the flag from the old Fire Station #2 and retiring it may have felt somber, but it was with excitement and pride Greeley Fire’s leadership and crews got to raise the flag above the new station and respond to its first call.

The ceremony at the end of September was smaller than normal. But with concerns about safety due to COVID-19, only the on-duty firefighters participated in the ceremony.

“There were a lot of memories at the old station,” Chris Ellmer, Greeley Fire Department battalion chief, said. “But in short, the crews are ecstatic about the new house. This building is a huge upgrade in both functionality and safety and they are excited to get settled in to serve the community."

The old fire station had a great run, but it was time—probably past time—for a replacement. The City of Greeley built the old station in 1958 and opened it in Februarys of 1959.

“So we definitely got our use out of that station,” he said.

The new station, funded by Greeley’s Public Safety Tax, comes with some huge improvements. Among the advantages, the new Fire Station #2 has a lot more space for people, equipment, and more, Ellmer explained.

“We had outgrown the old station a long time ago and the new house gives us the bay space and personnel space that we have needed for years,” he said.

Although the city built the replacement fire station on the same lot, the new position and orientation of the building and its engine bays allow fire engines and other emergency response vehicles to exit the station onto Reservoir Road instead of the much busier 23rd Avenue. That new driveway makes the process of rolling out on a call far safer for emergency responders and nearby drivers.

And like any old house, the old station reached a point where maintenance needs kept climbing rapidly.

The new station provides a modern and efficient structure for many years to come. It also takes some burden off of Greeley’s city facilities crews who kept the aging station up and running.

Those improvements and more give Greeley firefighters with fond memories of the old house a lot to appreciate about the new structure.

Ellmer described it as a mixed bag of emotions, but overall a very good change.

For several weeks Ellmer said he’s heard all sorts of stories, memories, and experiences Greeley’s crews had in the old firehouse. That's not a bad thing, it’s how firefighters process and respect the experiences of the job.

“We are at peace with the old station and its spirit will live on through the stories,” he said.

Fire Station #2 Snapshot

Originally Built: 1958
Opened: 1959
New Building: Completed and Opened 2020
No. of calls received annually: 2,500  (approximate)
Notable: The new configuration will allow firetrucks to enter and exit from Reservoir Road as opposed to the much busier 23^rd Avenue.