A new $42.3 million aircraft rescue and firefighting station was celebrated by officials Monday at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
The 25,000-square-foot Fire Station 2 is the first stage in consolidating public safety and airport operations into a high-tech facility for more advanced airport operations and emergency response measures, according to a news release from the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which operates the airport.
The station is about 50% bigger than the previous station, which was built in 1965.
“We’ve made quite the leap in facility design, systems and equipment to enhance the critical life safety work our firefighters do every day,” MAC CEO Brian Ryks said in a statement.
Firefighters from the MSP Fire Department respond to about 3,200 calls a year, including medical cases, structural and aircraft emergencies and hazardous materials calls. The Fire Department’s territory covers the airport’s 3,400-acre campus and has mutual aid agreements with nearby communities to respond to emergencies beyond the airport.
The nearly 10-year-old Fire Station 1, which is also operated by the MSP Airport Fire Department, is on the south side of the airfield. Fire Station 2 is on the north end of the airfield near the air traffic control tower.
“The true focus in this new facility is a design based on the safety, health and welfare of our firefighters to support our 24/7 mission to protect and serve passengers and the public,” said MSP Fire Chief Mark Watczak.
Each firefighter spends an average of 121 nights a year at MSP. The new station features “major” upgrades in comfort and privacy, including individual bunk rooms, locker rooms, a larger kitchen, and interactive meeting spaces, the MAC said.
