Frames and piping are going up at a pair of bond-funded fire stations that Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue plans to have operational by early 2020, and the agency is hoping to bring back some features earlier considered too costly.
The new stations at Baker’s Corner in West Longview and along West Side Highway in Lexington are part of a voter-approved $11 million improvement project, which includes purchase of a new fire engine and equipment for the stations.
Cowlitz 2 project manager Lt. Jeremy Huff said Tuesday the new stations are “a long time coming.” The current buildings have no sleeping quarters and very limited kitchen space, but each new station will feature six bedrooms, showers and dedicated living/dining rooms for personnel.
That means the agency will be able to staff full-time and volunteer firefighters regularly at the stations, which Huff said will lead to quicker response times and better-prepared personnel.