Northshore Fire Department Celebrates New Headquarters in Kenmore

On Saturday Oct. 15 the Northshore Fire Department, which serves Lake Forest Park, celebrated its new headquarters and fire station located at 7220 NE 181st St in Kenmore with a pancake breakfast and station tours. 

About seven employees from the fire station served up to 1,200 people. Twenty students from Inglemoor High school and 15 CERT, Community Emergency Response Team, graduates were also on site to help with the crowds.

The line for pancakes stretched out into the street and took about 30 minutes to get through, but there was plenty to do while waiting. The event was centered around not only the new building but also community. Families with young kids were encouraged to come and explore the space. Kids were running, playing and just having fun in the large parking lot in front of the fire station garage.

Most of the Inglemoor high school team was handing out helium filled balloons, applying fake tattoos, and assisting in coloring projects.  One of the fire trucks was parked in the garage along side about 30 round tables where many mingled, ate and just enjoyed the atmosphere. Of course kids were allowed to go inside the truck, sit in front of the big steering wheel and get their picture taken from family members.

Fire department personnel were on hand to answer questions and provide information about the new building. Locals saw first hand the greater capacities for emergency response, firefighter training, administrative functions and fire prevention.

During the free tours people got to talk with staff and learn about the 30,000 square foot station. There are nine personal bedrooms for live-in fire fighters, a huge kitchen with 4 refrigerators, one for each shift. Fire fighters work in A, B, C, and D shifts, 24 on and 24 off. The fire station was built to meet the needs of the community for the next 40 to 50 years.