Join the Seattle Fire Department and Seattle Firefighter’s Union, Local 27 in celebrating the new Fire Station 38 on Saturday, March 12 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Neighbors will get the chance to tour the new fire station on the corner of 40 Avenue Northeast and Northeast 55 Street and meet the firefighters who work there. There will be children’s activities, refreshments, a free raffle of fire safety items and an antique fire engine with historic photos on display.

The new fire station was funded through the Fire Facilities and Emergency Response Levy Program passed by voters in 2003. The Levy program is the biggest undertaking in the last 40 years to upgrade, replace, and modernize fire stations and emergency response.  The projects are designed to make Seattle safer in an emergency — and every day. The old fire station, built in 1930, failed to meet current seismic code and lacked the space to accommodate modern equipment and firefighting operations.  The historic character of the old station and site configuration ruled out expanding the existing station at 5503 33rd Avenue Northeast. The City will sell the historic building which was granted landmark status in 2004 and will put the money back into the Levy program.

Four firefighters are assigned to Fire Station 38, home to Engine 38.  Station 38 went on over 1,800 alarms in 2009. Firefighters moved into the new facility on February 15, 2011.