Thursday morning, the city of Folsom celebrated a milestone in its commitment to public safety with the grand opening of Fire Station 34 in the South of 50 community of the city. The ceremony brought together city, county, and state dignitaries, along with eager community members, all of whom witnessed a ceremonial “fire engine push” that marked the station’s official entry into service after it was dedicated in the name of a former City Fire Chief who was present for the event.
Just over a year prior, the scene had been starkly different—local leaders stood on a patch of bare earth, envisioning a future where this would be the site of Folsom’s first fire station south of Highway 50. With great anticipation, they had broken ground, laying the foundation for a facility that would soon play a vital role in the city’s emergency response efforts on the south side of US 50.
Fast forward 14 months, and the new fire station at 3255 Westwood Drive now stands as a beacon of progress. Nestled near Alder Creek Elementary School and just a stone’s throw from The Shops at Folsom Ranch, the station represents a crucial step in meeting the needs of a rapidly growing community. Local businesses, including new eateries and a veterinary clinic, have sprung up nearby, further contributing to the vibrant atmosphere of this burgeoning area.
Shortly after 10 a.m. Thursday, city officials and Folsom Fire leadership took center stage for the grand opening. Folsom Fire Chief Ken Cusano opened up the ceremony with his thoughts followed by remarks from Folsom Mayor Mike Kozlowski, Vice Mayor Sarah Aquino and City Manager Elaine Andersen. Cusano returned to the podium to lead the ceremony into its additional segments, but not before recognizing former fire chief Bill Murdock, in which the new station is dedicated to.
Murdock served the City of Folsom when it was one station and two engines, he shared with the crowd Thursday. The colorful retired chief served the city for 32 years from 1964 until 1996.
Following the speeches and a ribbon cutting in which Murdock sliced the ribbon with a firefighter’s axe, a flag raising brought all attendees outside which as then followed by a ceremonial “apparatus push,” also known as a “fire engine push,” where a group of Folsom Fire retirees manually pushed an engine into the bay of the station for the very first time, symbolizing the station’s readiness to serve.
Fire Station 34, a state-of-the-art facility constructed by D.L. Falk Construction, is the first of two planned stations for the expansive Folsom Ranch. The project was realized within an approved budget of $11,860,200, highlighting the city’s investment in its emergency response infrastructure.
This new station will not only enhance safety by improving response times but also expand coverage for a community that has seen significant growth. Previously, first responders often faced delays as they traveled from the northern parts of the city. With Fire Station 34 operational, those response times are expected to improve dramatically.
Equipped with modern facilities and advanced firefighting technology, Fire Station 34 will bolster the city’s ability to protect its residents and properties. The station will house an Advanced Life Support Type 1 Engine and cross-staff a Type 3 Engine, ensuring that three full-time firefighters are on duty each day, ready to respond to emergencies.
In the last year, the Folsom Fire Department had swelled its ranks with 19 new recruits, its largest class ever. Many of these new firefighters and paramedics were now poised to serve the community from this very station, embodying the spirit of service and dedication that Folsom values.
