State-of-the art Fire Station 81 opens to serve Fontana

The San Bernardino County Fire Department and the city of Fontana recently held a grand opening of Fire Station 81.

The $8.2 million state-of-the-art facility is strategically located in the north end of the city and is designed to keep pace with providing emergency response services for the city’s increasing population and development needs, according to a San Bernardino County statement. Fire Station 81, which ceremoniously opened on June 18, is 13,247 square feet and has three engine bays, one battalion chief’s bay, six crew dormitories, two captain’s dorms and a dorm for the battalion chief.

County officials expect the new station to maintain a response time of less than five minutes in Fontana’s northern area, which they is critical for responding to life-threatening emergencies like cardiac arrests.

The station’s design facilitates plans for future expansion, including an engine company and a truck company, according to the county. The station’s designers set it up to accommodate quick responses to fires, especially during Santa Ana winds.

“The opening of Fire Station 81 is a significant milestone for both the City of Fontana and the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District,” San Bernardino County Fire Chief Dan Munsey said in a statement. “This state-of-the-art facility will greatly enhance our ability to respond quickly to emergencies, protect lives, and support the growth of the community.”

More information about the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District and its services is available online at sbcfire.org.