Fire & Rescue
La Crosse fire department shows off new $8 million north side station
Most of the time, the fire department in La Crosse comes to the people who need its services.
Thursday, however, it was the public who came to the fire house to see La Crosse’s new station on Gillette Street.
Compared to the 80-year-old station next door, which only has room for one fire engine, the new, $8-million building can house four large fire trucks, along with two rescue boats used on the local rivers.
The station also has living quarters for firefighters and includes the north La Crosse police offices.
The open house comes exactly one year after ground was broken outside the old fire station. The building gives La Crosse two new fire houses in as many years.
The other, Station No. 2, a $7.3-million facility, opened about a year ago on La Crosse Street near UW-L.
Community risk educator Molly McCormick from the fire department said at the open house the new building brings a few advantages, to better the fire crews, and offer a “safety hub” for the community.
