Joplin, Missouri, is set to welcome its newest fire station with an opening ceremony and open house.
The event, scheduled for January 31, will take place at Fire Station 7, located at 6720 East 30th Street.
The ceremony, beginning at 2 p.m., is open to the public and will feature Mayor Doug Lawson, City Council Members, city leadership, local firefighters, and the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.
The opening of Fire Station 7 will be marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony, showcasing the city’s commitment to enhancing its firefighting capabilities.
Prior to this, a significant milestone for the Joplin Fire Department will be celebrated with the graduation of nine trainees.
The ceremony, starting at 1:15 p.m., will be led by Fire Chief Gerald Ezell, Deputy Chief Andy Nimmo, Training Chief Dustin Lunow, and Interim Training Chief John Miles.
The graduates will receive their Fire Training Certificates, take the Oath of Office, and have their badges pinned by family members, signifying their readiness to begin service at Station 7 on February 1.
Spanning 7,900 square feet, Fire Station 7 boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a safe room, six bedrooms, an exercise room, and a decontamination room.
The station also includes three double-depth drive-thru bays and will house twelve firefighters working in 24-hour shifts.
The addition of Station 7 increases the total number of Fire Department personnel to 106.
Chief Ezell highlighted the strategic importance of the new station: “This station will provide confined space and hazardous materials response for the City of Joplin and will greatly enhance the response capabilities of the Joplin Fire Department in the Joplin Crossroads Industrial Park.”
Station 7 is a response to the Public Safety needs analysis conducted in 2006 and a recent resource study.
Its location on the city’s southeast borders is expected to bolster safety for residents, businesses, and facilitate future development.
Chief Ezell further explained the station’s role: “The southeast portion of Joplin has unique needs in addition to the residential and industrial coverage we provide.
This station’s location will serve as a strong resource for the industrial and HazMat needs that the metro area experiences in our service area.”
The project was designed by Paragon Architecture, LLC, and constructed by R.E. Smith Construction Company, with a total construction cost of $4.5 million.
Funding for the project and staffing was secured through the Public Safety Tax initiative, passed in the November 2006 election, and the Use Tax passed in 2021, which also provided for three additional captains for the Fire Department.
The inauguration of Fire Station 7 in Joplin represents a significant enhancement in the city’s emergency response capabilities, particularly in areas of specialized need such as hazardous materials and confined space incidents.
The strategic location of the new station, coupled with its advanced facilities, underscores the city’s proactive approach to public safety and community development.
This development positions Joplin for future growth and challenges. The addition of trained personnel further strengthens the city’s ability to respond to emergencies effectively and efficiently.
