PRESS RELEASE
CITY OF CHICOPEE RE-OPENS ALDENVILLE FIRE STATION #7
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICOPEE – On Monday, November 25, 2019, after nearly 13 years, Aldenville Fire Station, officially known as Station #7, re-opened. The opening of the fire apparatus adds a centrally located fire station that will be available to respond for backup anywhere in the City of Chicopee.
The station was closed in November 2006, due to budget cuts and a lack of manpower. The Coty of Chicopee has recently implemented a civilian dispatch operation. Previously, dispatch has been operated by firefighters and police officers on a 24-hour basis. Utilizing civilians has made approximately 10 police officers and 8 firefighters available for public safety deployment enabling Station 7 to be opened 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
“Utilizing trained civilians in dispatch has provided the public safety personnel to open and staff Station 7,” said Mayor Richard J. Kos. “And I thank the City Council and Chief Stamborski for their support in this implementation. Our fire and medical response capabilities have been improved.”
“The members of the Chicopee Fire Department are extremely grateful to Mayor Kos and the City Council for their consistent support of the men and women of this department. The opening of Station 7 is a bold statement emphasizing the commitment to the safety of the members of this department and the citizens of Chicopee,” stated Fire Chief Daniel Stamborski.
“The re-opening of Station 7 in Ward 8 is great news for the residents of Ward 8 and the entire City,” expressed Gary R. Labrie, Ward 8 City Councilor. “This Station is located in the geographical center of Chicopee and is critical to maximizing our firefighting and rescue operations throughout the City. I am personally excited to see Station 7 back online and fully staffed. This re-opening benefits everyone.”
Stamborski said about 20 incidents, including fires, alarm calls, and ambulance calls have happened since it re-opened unofficially on November 15th. There were also 3 confirmed fires, one immediately following the recommissioning of the fire station: a kitchen fire on the 3rd floor at 419 Montcalm Street, an exterior garage fire at 41 Glenwood and a house fire on November 26th at 627 Springfield Street.
Having a centrally located station has decreased the response time to these calls and the first responders are able to provide a higher level of service to these communities.
Speaking on behalf of his fellow brothers and sisters of Chicopee Firefighters Local 1710 - Glenn Olbrych, President stated, “We are extremely happy that the City of Chicopee is showing the commitment to re-opening and staffing Engine 7 in Aldenville which hasn't been manned on a full-time basis in 13 years. The demands of our department have increased during this time period. In combination with today's fires burning faster and hotter, the opening of Engine 7 on a full-time basis will better serve our citizens. The resulting reduced response times will enable us to better protect our citizens and ensure our members' safety."
Based on its increased business, Chicopee requires the sort of safety response the Central Fire Station 7 can offer both our firefighters and the citizens of Chicopee. It will house one of the second front line ambulances that can respond to calls 24/7.
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CHICOPEE FIRE DEPARTMENT
The City of Chicopee with a population of 56,632 and area of 23.91 square miles has six (6) fire stations: Station 1 (Headquarters) - 80 Church Street / Station 3 - 90 Cabot Street / Station 4 - 654 Burnett Road / Station 5 - 580 Chicopee Street / Station 7- 739 Grattan Street / Station 8 - 900 James Street