Dignitaries attend Agoura fire station opening

The Los Angeles County Fire Department opened Fire Station 89 in Agoura Hills earlier this month, and a special dedication ceremony on Friday marked the occasion with about 150 residents and dignitaries in attendance.

The $4 million, 12,000-squarefoot facility at 29575 Canwood St. just west of Kanan Road is the first station within the city limits of Agoura Hills.

Assistant Fire Chief Reggie Lee served as master of ceremonies.

The fire station "is something that the city of Agoura Hills has been waiting for for a very long time," Lee said.

Chaplain Don Schwaiger presented the invocation and the benediction of the new facility, and asked that God continue to rescue mankind.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky echoed Lee's comment about the station being a long time coming. He also said local firefighters were the most versatile in the world. As an example of that versatility, Yaroslavsky said that during last year's Topanga fires, not one life or home was lost.

"We are better equipped to repeat that success," Yaroslavsky said of the new station. Fire Station 65 on Cornell Road in rural Agoura will continue to operate.

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers IT'S OFFICIAL-Above left, Brandan Sava, 3, of Agoura Hills checks out shiny new truck with the fire department's Ron Haralson. At right, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Fire Chief Michael Freeman and Agoura Hills Mayor Denis Weber cut the ceremonial ribbon. Agoura Hills Mayor Denis Weber said that while there were delays in construction, the firefighters and police officers were heroes. He joked about the color of the building, a shade of pea green and yellow. But most important, he said, will be the services that the new fire station will provide.

After announcing that a local business had donated a barbecue to the station, Weber received a bearhug from one of the firefighters.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman said that fire stations are unique. While the personnel and equipment are headquartered at the facility, their work is done throughout the community. He said firefighters work every day of the year, including holidays.

"They are dedicated to provide service to you," Freeman said. "We make house calls."

Massood Eftekhari, assistant deputy director for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, thanked the community for its patience.

All five members of the Agoura Hills City Council attended, and representatives from the offices of Assemblymember Fran Pavley and state Sen. Sheila Kuehl presented certificates to the fire chief. Tours of the facility were provided.

The station houses a training classroom, full kitchen, individual dorms for firefighters who work 24hour shifts, and battalion chief headquarters.