MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. –
Navy Lakehurst Commanding Officer Capt. L. Bret Gordon cut the ribbon for the newly-constructed 21,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art fire and rescue station on Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst, on Tuesday.
The building stands near the intersection of McCord and Rounds Roads and consolidates all of Lakehurst's fire and rescue capabilities under one roof. The buildings that previously housed the fire and rescue divisions were cramped spaces that made living and training arrangements a challenge, said Captain Gordon.
"This world-class fire and rescue station will allow us to support the current and future mission needs of Navy Lakehurst, its 23 joint and interagency commands and eventually joint base New Jersey," said Captain Gordon. "Our ability to provide efficient fire and rescue services is critical to the success of their respective missions." The new firehouse has 30 designated sleeping quarters, an 850-squarefoot training facility and a 600-squarefoot kitchen and dining room. There is also room for the fire and rescue division's full complement of 17 emergency vehicles in the heated truck bays. This fleet of vehicles includes four large aircraft firefighting and rescue vehicles. The truck bay is complete with vehicle exhaust system and truck wash bay.
The Lakehurst Fire and Emergency Services serves Lakehurst and surrounding communities with fire and emergency services. The division is composed of 60 personnel, and prior to March, was stationed in four separate facilities on-board Lakehurst. The division is led by Fire Chief Richard Strasser.
Chief fire inspector and project manger, Martin Galler, worked sideby- side with Naval Facilities Command in the administration of this project. Mr. Galler expressed his pride in the product he helped create saying, "The station is an excellent design. This will definitely increase morale and help with the overall efficient operation of the division."
Although the fire and rescue division's previous quarters may not have been ideal, it did not affect their operational capabilities. In the past two years, the division has assisted with an overturned heating oil tanker, numerous house fires, performed prescribed burns, deployed members to help with the Hurricane Katrina relief and performed many other rescue and public awareness operations on base and in the surrounding communities. The new fire and rescue facility will ensure they will continue providing this necessary community function in an exemplary fashion.