New WM fire station ready for service
Community gathers as new Station No. 3 dedicated in honor of former chief
By JOHN RECH
news@theeveningtimes.com
The City of West Memphis dedicated a new building for the first time in two generations. Local dignitaries assembled at the police substation and a fire station located at East Broadway and South Loop to dedicated the new building to late Fire Chief Dennis Brewer. Speeches and ceremony lasted about two hours marking a joyous occasion for city officials and the brewer family.
Interim Fire Chief De-Wayne Rose applauded city council for the decision to build a new station three. The old station three on East Barton had shifted creating crack in the floor and brick pulling apart. Firefighters were able to pass quarters between the kitchen ad dorms in the building. Engineering studies had been conducted about stabilizing the building after personnel worried about seeping in the unsettled station.
The new station was the first city building since 1976.
Both Interim Fire Chief DeWayne Rose and Mayor Marco McClendon led applauds for city council members that authorized the building project.
The last time a grand opening for a fire station happened was in 1974,” said Rose. “No one in the fire department now was employed then, so this is a first for all of us.
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“West Memphis has, to me, the best emergency response in the whole wide world,” said McClendon. “As I look to my left, I see one of the greatest leadership teams in any _re department. I look to city council who passed this, it’s you that continues our winning streak. We have enjoy the lowest _re insurance rates anywhere.”
Chief Dennis Brewer’s window, Dorothy, addressed the gathering, thanking the Lord and the city leadership.
“This is an honor and a grand gesture by the city,” said Brewer. “On May 29 my husband said to me, Girl my name is going to be on the outside of the new _re station. Watch and see. I am so excited today. Today is history.”
Councilman Tracy Catt remembered Brewer.
“The one thing he taught me and I will take with me forever, is to take the time to meet everybody,” said Catt. “Chief Brewer was an infectious personality.
Ward 5 councilman Willis Mondy said the new station elevated safety in his community.
“The _re and the police being stationed in this ward will make our streets safer,” said Mondy.
The keys to the station hadn’t been handed over to the city just yet. The door locks were changed from a key card to a fob system and the new fobs hadn’t arrived by the ceremony. The city and contractor both said the building would be turned over and put in service soon.
