My Clearwater
The New Station 50 of Clearwater Fire & Rescue
02 MyClearwater
They came to tour their new fire station. To try on
firefighter gear. To squirt a fire hose. To get to see
how firefighters serve the city of Clearwater, up close
and personal.
More than 500 Clearwater residents turned out March 3
as an open house and grand opening ceremony for the new
Station 50 of Clearwater Fire & Rescue was conducted.
Young and old alike had a great time at the event.
The new Station 50 was built on the same site as the
previous fire station, located at 2681 Countryside Blvd.
Firefighters moved into the building in December after
spending the previous 13 months at temporary headquarters
next door. The old station was 40 years old when it was torn
down.
Mayor George Cretekos and Fire Chief Scott Ehlers
addressed the standing-room-only crowd. City council
members and former firefighters were among those in
attendance.
Excited children put their tiny feet into giant firefighter
boots. They got to try on the firefighter gear – from the
helmets that were too large for their heads to the bunker gear
that dwarfed them. Lt. Tom Jensen let the children take a
turn behind the fire hose, fighting an imaginary fire.
“It was a spectacular event,” Chief Ehlers said. “We wanted
to share our excitement about our new fire station with the
community, and it turns out they were just as excited as we
were.”