Lisa Thompson was showing her 6th grader the bolt cutters, rescue pliers and other tools stored in the side of a fire truck at Akron’s new Fire Station 12.
“The goal is to get the car away from the person as fast as possible,” Thompson told Andrew, explaining how firefighters use the various devices to rescue people involved in car crashes.
The Akron resident is a former firefighter who brought her three children to Fire Station 12 on Saturday. Her children enjoyed exploring the trucks and the station, but her daughter Abby was firm when asked if she wanted to become a firefighter: “No way!”
The Akron Fire Department held open houses at the new station at 112 S. Hawkins Ave. Saturday and Sunday. Hundreds of residents came to see the building, which houses Engine 12, a ladder truck, and a medical unit (also called a squad or an ambulance.) The $9.5 million facility replaces the Station 12 that was built in 1952 at 1852 W. Market St.
Thompson was impressed with the space in the 16,800-square-foot facility, which includes plenty of room for training. “The Akron Fire Department is really good at training their people,” she said.
The firefighters kept busy Saturday showing children and adults around the equipment and the new building, which officially opened Wednesday, Nov. 13. Some firefighters were working in the station’s large kitchen, where the table featured a chocolate cake proclaiming: “Thank You, Citizens of Akron, for our new Fire Station 12.” One firefighter demonstrated how he puts on his gear when a call comes in. Another listened intently to a resident asking questions about the smoke detectors in her home.
When the rescue squad got a call and the paramedics rushed out, accompanied by Engine 12, onlookers admired the station’s large red doors, which fold in rather than rolling up.
“I’ve never seen doors like that before,” Thompson said.
AFD Lt. Robert Langston said the new Wallhaven fire station, located in Akron’s Ward 4, was designed with the health and safety of the nine to 10 people assigned there each shift in mind. He pointed to two sauna pods that firefighters will use for decontamination efforts after fires. The building has a large workout room. And an exhaust system uses flexible tubing that can attach to the vehicles to suck away fumes when the engines are running.
“The living quarters promote the health and safety of our firefighters,” Langston said, adding that he was pleased that so many Akronites turned out Saturday to tour the facility.
“There are more people than the administration could have hoped for,” Langston said. “I am so happy that so many citizens have taken the time to come out.”
Bill Siegenthaler of North Hill was one of the curious visitors, along with his wife, Shelly. Bill used to service some of the machines on rescue squads and enjoys going into firehouses.
“I always love this stuff,” he said.
This reporter grew up on Greenwood Avenue. While her family was fortunate to never need the services of the old Fire Station 12, she was always glad the Akron firefighters were nearby.
