With a nod to the past and an eye to the future, the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians officially opened its new fire station east of the Soboba Casino Resort June 7. Speakers and a ribbon-cutting ceremony preceded facility tours and lunch. The paved area behind the station displayed the department's three vehicles: Engine 1, a brush engine and a tractor-driven truck, also known as a tiller truck.
Master of ceremonies and Tribal Administrator Michael Castello welcomed invited guests inside the three-bay area with polished concrete that was filled with tables and chairs to accommodate about 300 people of all ages that came to share in the occasion.
"We've been working on this for more than a decade and are very proud and honored to showcase it with all of you today," he said.