Resort fire station offers sight-seeing

     I have to admit, I'm a firefighter groupie. Whether it's the uniform or the fact these guys put their lives on the line every day, I shamelessly flirt with the crews whenever I see them picking up groceries at my neighborhood supermarket.
      Of course, I always pull out my best line: "What's for dinner tonight, guys?" They humor me.
      So, how could I not go to the Jan. 25 grand opening of the Henderson fire station at Lake Las Vegas Resort?
      Here's why they call it a grand opening: Construction began last March on Station 96 on land furnished by the city of Henderson. The construction and equipment for the $2.3 million, 15,800-square-foot facility was funded by Lake Las Vegas Resort.
      Jim Gibson, the mayor of Henderson, said Station 96 is nearly twice as large as other facilities in the city. It was built to address the needs not only of the resort's residents, but the recently opened 500-room Hyatt Regency Resort.
      The donated equipment will include three pumper units, one truck, one hose vehicle, one air and light vehicle, and three rescue vehicles. In addition, the resort funded a paramedic golf cart for use at special events.
      Station 96 will house 20 firefighters and paramedics upon buildout of the resort. Initially, there will be a captain, engineer, firefighter and firefighter/paramedic on each shift. (Not to mention a very overweight Dalmatian.)
      I felt obligated to go snooping through the facility while the speeches were going on. The ground floor of Station 96 houses the truck bays, a huge gymnasium (firefighters have to stay fit, you know), offices, public restrooms, an environmental control system, an entertainment room with stadium seating (the suits call it an instruction room/training room) and a kitchen. The kitchen -- there's the understatement of the year -- is equipped for professional use. Aside from gas burners and other cooking amenities, the room has three refrigerators and a pantry to die for.
      The second floor has sleeping facilities for 20 people, showers and restrooms for men and women crew members and the fire pole. The pole is fenced off so someone won't inadvertently misstep while on the way to the restroom in the middle of the night. Firefighters have an overdeveloped sense of humor: a sign near the fire pole reads, "Do not slide down the pole if not wearing underwear."
      Dennis McGarvey, who oversees the homeowners association at the resort, said the new station has resulted in a major drop in fire insurance. "I believe the drop is in the 30 percent to 50 percent range," McGarvey said.
      Not to mention peace of mind. The nearest fire station to Lake Las Vegas before the opening of Station 96, was on Burkholder Boulevard, about seven miles from the resort.
      While I was snooping around the top floor of the facility, I ran into a group of visiting firemen (all puns intended) from Clark County. These guys were practically salivating at all of the amenities included in the new station, not to mention the architecture of the building. Unless a visitor sees the fire engine bays on both sides of the building, it would be impossible to determine the structure is a fire station.
      Henderson and resort officials were justifiably proud as they showed visitors around Station 96. There were firefighters in attendance from sister stations in Henderson, as well as from the North Las Vegas and Clark County fire departments.
      This type of cooperation involving the developer and city reflects the best in civic involvement that our valley has to offer. The guys who run the resort realize the importance of quick response to their residents; Henderson officials recognize the boost in the tax base that these residents represent.
      Kudos to everyone involved in the project.

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