Families, kids, and community members packed the Jefferson County Fire and EMS station on South Fifth Street in Madras last Friday evening for an open house showcasing the department's newly remodeled and expanded headquarters — a project years in the making and made possible by a community-supported bond measure.
A Station Built for the Crews Who Live There
The upgrade represents a significant transformation of the original 1989 structure, which was designed for a volunteer department — not a full-time crew working 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Interim Chief Kasey Skaar said the project added roughly 6,000 square feet of new space to the facility, including expanded dormitories, dedicated work areas, a gym, and a new equipment room.
"We've got a bond that was passed that our community passed," Skaar told visitors during the open house. "And today we're able to invite our community in to see our brand new facility that's been remodeled."
The $14.5 million project was completed in April, when crews moved back into the upgraded headquarters after temporarily relocating during construction. The May 29 open house was the first chance for the broader public to tour the improvements.
Firefighter Safety Improvements
Among the most meaningful upgrades from a health and safety standpoint is the new dedicated gear room. Previously, turnout gear was stored on racks in the open apparatus bays — exposed to vehicle exhaust and sunlight, both of which can degrade materials and potentially expose firefighters to carcinogens.
"All of these used to be on racks out in the bays, which are out in the sun and exhaust area," Skaar said. "So now we have a cleaner room. We have filters in these to help filter through the air and have clean air."
Meeting a Growing Demand
The department responded to more than 3,000 calls last year, reflecting the growing demand for emergency services in Jefferson County. The expanded station is designed to support that workload and the crews who handle it around the clock.
For the youngest visitors Friday night, the open house was less about infrastructure and more about climbing into fire trucks and imagining a future in the department. Skaar said the community connection is exactly the point.
"Without the community, we wouldn't be here," he said. "I cannot thank enough our community, our people that work here, and our partners that we have to help support us."