Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Hundreds of people gathered outside a new firehouse in Dorchester for its grand opening Friday.
The new station on Winter Street replaced the old Firehouse 17, which was built in 1928.
Among those in attendance at the ceremony were firefighters, first responders, and community members.
Boston Fire Commissioner Paul Burke told WBZ NewsRadio that the move was a big transition for longtime members of the department.
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“They couldn’t believe that they lived in that building for so long they said it already feels like a condemned building, so they’re very excited to be in [the new building],” Burke said.
According to Burke, the new firehouse will not only serve the community better but will also keep firefighters safer.
The station is designed to reduce exposure to carcinogens from diesel exhaust fumes, which have exposed firefighters to health hazards such as occupational cancer.
The station is equipped with several temperature controlled “zones” that firefighters will go through after returning to the station to reduce exposure risks inside.
“With each “zone”, exposure is reduced, and we’re hoping that will help cancer rates go down,” added Burke.
Mayor Wu was also among those in attendance, and she paid tribute to Marie Conley, a crossing guard who died in a traffic accident in the Winter St. neighborhood in 2008.
“She gave her life, to protect a student from an oncoming car,” Wu said.
A memorial dedicated to Burke’s life was set up at the new station to inspire the firefighters.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.
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