The Olympia City Council has approved a resolution giving the designation of "Station 5" to Olympia Firehouse 5, a nonprofit organization of retired firefighters whose mission is to preserve fire service and its history by maintaining and restoring engines and equipment.
Olympia Firehouse 5 has a physical location as a historic preservation museum for antique fire engines, equipment, and memorabilia and provides a second home for current and retired members to receive and provide support and exchange ideas.
At the city council meeting held Tuesday, April 18, the designation was given as recognition and appreciation to the retired firefighters for their contributions to the community.
"Olympia Firehouse 5 continues its service to the community by showcasing its antique fire engines, sharing its space with the community, and providing historical knowledge of the fire service and its culture," the resolution stated.
It added that the "Station 5" designation is to be reserved and used to refer to Olympia Firehouse 5. A future fire station is to be designated "Station 6.
Retired Olympia Firefighter Mike Simmons said the Olympia Firehouse 5 family is growing with 141 members made up of active and retired firefighters representing 21 departments.
Olympia Firehouse 5 began in 1998. Then-fire chief Larry Dibble began a simple ceremony of inducting retired firefighters to Station 5. The retired firefighters were given a badge and shirt with the logo of Station 5 printed on it.
"At the time, Station 5 was fictitious. Retired members would meet at local coffee shops weekly, usually in a location with the cheapest coffee," Simmons said.
Retired Olympia firefighter Ray McDonald and his wife, Renee, purchased a piece of property with a huge shop. It is now the Olympia Firehouse 5 or Station 5, where they maintain and restore old fire engines and equipment. It has Olympia's original engines 2, 3, 4, 7 and 9, and Tumwater's engine 1.
"We have created a firehouse museum," Simmons said.
He added the organization also assists in charitable events to raise money for other nonprofits by offering fire engine rides in parades and other activities.
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longtimeresident
What a neat idea!
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 Report this
Ray loves sharing the stories. We were able to provide him a copy of my husband's grandfather from the early 1900's as a member of Olympia Volunteer horse-drawn fire engine for them to display on the walls of their museum. If you haven't gone, stop by on a Monday and get a tour. The history is they share is fantastic. We, Tumwater Falls Chapter Daughters of American Colonists, appreciated Ray and his group for providing us a ride on one of the historic engines in the Littlerock 4th of July Parade.
Thursday, April 20, 2023 Report this