PEORIA, Ill. – The public got its first eyes inside the newest fire station for the Peoria Fire Department.
Fire Station 16 on Northmoor Road has been operational for about a month and a half. But on Friday morning, city leaders came together to officially open the building to the public.
The new building replaces the original Fire Station 16 that was built in 1956. Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger says discussions to replace the old building started as far back as 2019, but COVID had put a pause on those plans.
The improved building features the ability to have sleeping quarters for up to seven firefighters to be on call 24/7. It also features technological improvements to help respond to calls faster, health initiatives such as diesel exhaust mitigation and gear cleaning equipment, and a community room.
Sollberger says it was also important for Fire Station 16 to stay on Northmoor Road, and communicate that with the community.
“With the state grant funding, we weren’t pigeon holed to just be here,” Sollberger said. “So going through our data analysis, heat maps, GPS, and lo and behold, this was the best place for this station to be.”
The building’s construction was funded with a $5 million state grant that Sollberger credits to State Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) for helping secure.
