Pictured is Fire Chief Matthew Coon, as he gives an update on the status of Fire Station Five and some other goings on of the city’s fire department to the city council. P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

One fire station in the city that has been closed for a few years is almost ready to reopen.

During Monday’s meeting of the Public Safety Committee, Fire Chief Matthew Coon said Fire Station Five at 199 Fairmount Ave. is close to being ready to reopen following renovations.

“Fire Station Five is close, we’re going to have some cleaning work done over there, but the renovations are fairly complete,” Coon said. “There’s a little work on some different things, but as a department we are ready to reopen the building finally, it’s been a couple of years.”

During the work session, Coon also updated the entire council, saying that Fire Station Five will be open in a few weeks and then the crew will be moving back in there, also inviting council members to come over and take a look. Councilman Bill Reynolds, R-Ward 5, added that in talking with members of the fire department they are “ecstatic” that all of the stations will be open, and that it makes a real difference for morale.

“The renovations have gone fantastic,” Coon said. “We’re happy to be able to report to you that we’re very close to being open.”

Coon said a memorial service is also planned for later this year, recognizing some of the firefighters from Station Five in the 1930s that perished in the Richfield Oil Fire. That service will be held sometime in June. Coon also briefly updated the council on the second ambulance helping with the flow of calls for the department, and EMS revenue being seen from that.

A small ceremony will be planned when the building is officially reopened. Coon also gave an update that one fire battalion chief successfully completed his training program, and that the second city ambulance has been very well received and taking a large burden off of the department.