Operations are a go at Oro Valley's new fire station.
Golder Ranch Fire District station 377 began operating Wednesday at 355 E. Linda Vista Blvd., near North Oracle Road.
"The building was needed because of the growth in the fire district," said John Sullivan, a community services division chief with Golder Ranch.
The district's southern boundaries have grown to include the area north of West Hardy Road.
The district also constructed the station to meet emergency response standards adopted by the town of Oro Valley, Sullivan said.
"We arrive to 90 percent of medical emergencies in five minutes or less," he said.
That five-minute response time starts as soon as the bell sounds in the fire station, Sullivan said.
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Construction on the $2 million fire station started in July 2009.
To guarantee the district was sufficiently serving the Oro Valley area, Golder Ranch had leased a patio home in the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador resort to serve as a temporary station.
"When you're forced to make a decision to provide service and not provide service, that was the only option," Sullivan said. "We didn't have a facility."
The district is pleased it no longer has to operate a station out of a home.
"It has been helpful, but not the most efficient way to respond," Sullivan said.
Six fire personnel staff the new station, but there's room to add two firefighters.
One paramedic engine and one paramedic ambulance are based there.
The district is working toward a silver-level certification based on the LEED green-building rating system, Sullivan said.
Solar technology will allow the district to make up 15 percent of its energy costs.
The building's design also allows for a lot of natural light, Sullivan said.
Oro Valley residents will have the chance to tour the building when the station hosts an open house for neighbors Sept. 25.
The station's immediate neighbors were patient with the fire district as the new station went up.
"They've been great neighbors and we hope to be great neighbors in the future," Sullivan said.
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If you go
• What: Open house for Golder Ranch Fire District station 377.
• When: 9 a.m. Sept. 25; a pancake breakfast starts at 8 a.m.
• Where: 355 E. Linda Vista Blvd.
• Cost: Free.
Contact reporter Andrea Rivera at arivera@azstarnet.com or 807-8430.
