City of San Jose, CA
10/20/2023 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/20/2023 18:00
SJFD Hosts Relocation Groundbreaking for Fire Station 8
SJFD Hosts Relocation Groundbreaking for Fire Station 8
Post Date:10/20/2023 5:00 PM
Watch the recording of the Fire Station 8 Groundbreaking Ceremony: https://youtu.be/4jpY8Hnh8jc
On the morning of Thursday, October 19 in Downtown San José, community members and local officials gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony for the relocation of Fire Station 8, a momentous occasion for the San José Fire Department and the City of San José. The event featured several distinguished speakers, including Mayor Matt Mahan, District 3 Councilmember Omar Torres, Fire Chief Robert Sapien, Jr., and Public Works Director Matt Loesch. Additionally, SJFD's Engine 8 crew and District 7 Councilmember Bien Doan were in attendance.
The standing Station 8 has long served its community with pride. Built in 1949, just four years after the conclusion of World War II, the firehouse has been a pillar of safety for downtown residents but has surpassed its operational lifespan after nearly 75 years.
Mayor Mahan pointed to the community's support for the project through Measure T, which San José voters approved back in 2018.
"The voters a few years ago said that they would step up and tax themselves through Measure T to make historic investments, over $600 million worth of investments, in critical infrastructure projects here in our city," explained Mayor Mahan. "I want to especially thank the voters of San José for having the foresight to know that we have to continue to sacrifice and invest to upgrade our infrastructure, all of our facilities and tools, so that we as a city can continue to deliver core services and particularly public safety with the highest levels of quality."
Mayor Mahan also addressed the crowd about the primary role of government and acknowledging the difficult and selfless job that first responders have.
"We all know that the most fundamental responsibility of government is keeping people safe. We wouldn't be able to do that without our firefighters and our other first responders. You are who our residents call in their worst moments. I want you to know on behalf of a city of a million people, we are incredibly grateful to our firefighters and all of our first responders for putting their lives on the line every day to keep the rest of us safe."
A digital rendering of SJFD's new Fire Station 8.
Chief Sapien acknowledged the growing need to modernize facilities to keep up with natural changes to the fire service.
"The demands that your firefighters face today are far more hazardous, far more dangerous," said Chief Sapien. "The knowledge that they have to amass and maintain is a far higher bar than it was in 1949 and they've advanced tremendously. The facility that you're going to see erected here at this location will provide for their decontamination after they engage fires with known carcinogens. They will be able to come back and restock after delivering advanced life support for our community's medical emergencies. They will be able to come back and convene as a crew to talk through the difficult things that they have seen on their last response that challenged their sensibilities. This is such an important facility. It is replacing one that did not serve all the needs of the modern fire service."
Councilmember Torres expressed his thoughts on how the new fire station will affect the downtown community.
"The positive effects of having a safer and more resilient neighborhood are immeasurable. Not only will our community thrive, but local businesses will also prosper in an environment where customers and employees feel secure."
Mayor Mahan also provided some insight into how the new firehouse underscores the City's forward-thinking approach by being the first in San José that could serve an all-electric vehicle. While the Department doesn't yet have a fully electric engine, he confirmed "we're thinking ahead, we're planning ahead, and we're investing for the future."
Construction is slated to be finished in early 2025.