VIDEO/PHOTOS: Stepping away from full time service to retirement can be a big transition for firefighters, as they move away from the family they had at their station. No one at Olympia Firehouse 5 expected to be meeting for Monday morning coffee surrounded by a half dozen vintage firetrucks in their retirement. Once word got out that there was a place to go refurbish fire engines, talk shop and share stories, everything started to come together. Beginning their week at Firehouse 5, helping with vehicle projects or participating in community events, keeps retirees connected.
In 1998 the Olympia fire chief designated the retired members as Firehouse 5, the name being next in line after Olympia firehouse 1,2,3 and 4. After Ray McDonald and Larry Dibble retired from the Olympia Fire Department, both had purchased antique fire engines.