The neighborhood turned out to see the opening of Sandy Springs Fire Station 5 on July 1, a building designed to resemble a house rather than a government building.
City officials held a “hose uncoupling” ceremony to signify its opening at 7800 Mt. Vernon Road.
After the ceremony and lunch, the fire station became operational with four firefighters on duty for the station’s first shift.
Councilmember John Paulson, who represents the northeastern panhandle of the city, has championed a new fire station closer to the area since he took office in 2010,
“The challenge from the community was how do you make this station fit into the neighborhood,” he said.
Kristen McNamara, who lives in the Deerfield subdivision with her family, said the building fits with its surroundings.
“It adds just a level of security and confidence having them so close by now,” she said.
Fire Chief Keith Sanders thanked the architect, contractors, and staff who helped during the building process. He offered a special thanks to the fire station’s neighbors.
“Not one time did I receive a phone call of complaint and I know there was a lot of noise out here because I was out here at least three times a day. Every day there was a lot of noise,” he said. “We did our best to keep the mud off the streets.”
In addition to the two fire engine bays, kitchen, dorm rooms, fitness room, rock wall, and conference room for training, the new fire station has a decontamination station. Paul said the highest rate of death for firefighters is cancer. They go into burning buildings in which carcinogenic materials are burning.
Reeves Young bid $8.4 million and was awarded the contract in November 2022 after another company’s bid was rescinded when they came back asking the city for $8.8 million.
Mayor Rusty Paul said when Sandy Springs was formed as a city, one of the most startling statistics was that if you had a cardiac arrest, you had a one percent chance of survival. Public safety was made the top priority for the new city.
“When you’re in an emergency and need help, the sweetest sound is the siren because you know that help is on its way,” he said.
