Remodeled West County EMS/FPD station holds open house

 

Updating and refurbishment of the West County EMS and Fire Protection District Town & Country fire station on Clayton Road have been completed and the facility is back in operation.

An open house is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon on Dec. 10 to show the upgraded facility to interested residents.

Chief among the improvements were a new HVAC system, an emergency generator capable of meeting the building’s electrical power needs in the event of an outage, and a reconfiguration of the station’s sleeping facilities. Sleeping quarters were converted from a dormitory-type set-up to individual rooms so that firefighter/paramedics of both sexes can be accommodated.

In addition, ceilings were lowered to save on utility costs, and the kitchen area and offices received a facelift. New carpet and painting also were included and new overhead doors for the equipment bays were installed.

The total cost of the project, which included temporarily relocating the station’s operations to the former state highway patrol Troop C headquarters on the north side of I-64 at Mason, was $870,000. Started late in June, the work required approximately five months to complete.

West County EMS and FPD provides services to Town & Country under an agreement that has been in effect since 1983. Town & Country owns the station and West County pays rent to use it under terms of the pact between the city and the district. The structure was built in 1991.

On any given day, five to six firefighter/paramedics are at the station.

Ernie Rhodes, West County’s chief, thanked Town & Country officials for their efforts and commitment to the project.