Malone Welcomes New Fire Station

By: Shelia Mader      

Hurricane Michael has long been described as the gift that keeps on giving. When the devastating storm tore through Northwest Florida in October 2018, it left a trail of destruction that forever changed the landscape of Jackson County. Nearly eight years later, the county continues to rebuild one project at a time. Last week, the Town of Malone celebrated another milestone in that recovery as firefighters, local officials and residents gathered to officially open the community's brand-new volunteer fire station.

More than just a new building, the station represents resilience, progress and an investment in the safety of Malone and the surrounding communities for generations to come.

Malone Fire Chief Jeff Miller could not have been prouder as he looked around the facility. "It gives us a better place to store our equipment and more space to train. Training is really important. During storms, this is where we'll be. We'll all come here and be on standby for whatever comes after," Miller said.

The previous fire station suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Michael. Although firefighters continued using the building out of necessity, water intrusion had damaged portions of the structure, including the meeting room, while insulation and ceiling tiles had fallen, forcing the department to operate with caution.

Replacing that aging station became possible through a grant of just over $2 million awarded following the hurricane, allowing Malone to construct a modern facility designed specifically to meet today's emergency response needs.

The new station offers three 60-foot apparatus bays, providing significantly more room to safely house and protect fire engines and emergency equipment. Each bay includes shoreline power connections that keep emergency vehicles charged and ready to respond at a moment's notice. Electronic motorized bay doors allow firefighters to exit the station more quickly during emergencies while providing added security when crews are away on calls.

Inside, the improvements continue with firefighter health and safety taking center stage. Two large exhaust fans help remove vehicle exhaust from the apparatus bays, while a specialized turnout gear extractor and gear dryer allow firefighters to properly clean and dry their protective equipment after every structure fire. Removing cancer-causing carcinogens from bunker gear has become one of the fire service's highest priorities nationwide.

"With it being sealed like it is, we won't have as much moisture problem and mold problem like we had. So, we'll be more equipped to take care of our equipment. In this station, we now have our washer and dryer for our bunker gear, which is very important. You need to wash your bunker gear after every fire," Miller said.

The station also provides a much larger meeting and training room complete with a full kitchen, cabinetry and a backup power generator. Separate showers and restrooms for male and female firefighters, along with office space for the chief, assistant chief and secretary, allow the department to better handle its day-to-day operations while supporting volunteers who often spend long hours serving the community.

Perhaps most importantly, the new facility provides a safe location where firefighters can gather during severe weather events, allowing them to respond immediately when emergencies occur.

Although based in Malone, the department's service extends far beyond town limits. Malone Volunteer Fire Department responds throughout Jackson County whenever requested and regularly provides mutual aid assistance across state lines to neighboring departments in Alabama and Georgia.

Department members believe the station will become one of Malone's most valuable community assets, serving not only today's firefighters and citizens but also future generations.

The residents of Malone were invited to tour the facility during the grand opening, giving them an opportunity to see firsthand what goes into operating a volunteer fire department. Miller said many people don't realize the countless hours of training, maintenance and paperwork required behind the scenes to keep firefighters prepared before the emergency call ever comes.

For the members of the Malone Volunteer Fire Department, the building stands as far more than bricks and mortar. It is a symbol of the community's determination to recover from one of the worst natural disasters in local history and a promise that the department will continue protecting lives and property for decades to come.

"We are very proud of the hard work that went into the planning, construction and every aspect of bringing this new station to life," department members said. "This station is for our current members, our citizens and for the future generations who will continue serving this community long after we are gone."

As the doors were opened and residents stepped inside for the first time, it became clear the new station is more than a replacement for what Hurricane Michael destroyed. It is a lasting investment in the safety, preparedness and future of Malone, Jackson County and the neighboring communities the department proudly serves.