Fire department gets new headquarters after 45 years

MOUNT VERNON - Volunteer firefighters in Mount Vernon and Linn County Fire District 1 have a new place to call home.

Friends, family and supporters of the Mount Vernon Fire Department came out Memorial Day for the dedication of the brand new facility at 606 2nd Ave Sw, just off the intersection of Highway 30 and First Avenue.

The $2 million new building replaces the department's downtown location at 217 1st St NW, which has served as the its primary headquarters since 1967.

"If you've ever been in the old station, you know this has been a long time coming, " said Michael Pint, a trustee with Linn County Fire District 1.

The new building was primarily paid for by the city of Mount Vernon, with the fire district renting its use from the city. Pint pointed out that much of the funding to build the new station came from a one cent local option sales tax put in place by area voters.

In addition to state of the art facilities, the new station includes a computer -aided routing system to improve response time and a multimedia training room with equipment donated by the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Firefighters Association.

Prior to officially dedicating the building to all Mount Vernon firefighters past, present and future, Chief Dan Gaines announced that he would stepping down from his position in June after more than 30 years with the department.

"It humbles me to be here because over its  existence there have been so many great people working for this department," he said.