Morrisville Dedicates New Fire Station #1

Story and photos by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC – I always love a big municipal ribbon-cutting. The sun always seems to shine. So it was today with the sun shining down on the large crowd that had assembled for the dedication of the new Morrisville Fire Station #1.

New Morrisville Fire Station #1

From the Town of Morrisville:

Construction on the new fire station began in September of 2010. The facility is 13,000 square feet and includes a three bay design. It is replacing the former Fire Station 1, located at the corner of Morrisville-Carpenter Road and Chapel Hill Road, which was over 55 years old.

The increased space in the new station is necessary to facilitate modern firefighting operations, and to house an EMS unit and crew as well. The project cost approximately $3 million to complete.

What’s not conveyed is the soaring sense of space, power and optimism the new firehouse evokes. Elected officials and small children couldn’t help but smile as the flags fluttered, the band played and speakers recalled the history of firefighting in Morrisville:

The fire company was incorporated as Morrisville Rural Fire Company in 1955.

The first firetruck was a converted Army vehicle.

The company was all-volunteer and a family affair, with fathers, sons, wives, sisters and daughters all involved. At one time, 30% of the firefighters were female.

1964 – Angus Barn fire.

First paid employees were in 1988.

1992 – American Eagle flight crashes in Morrisville five miles short of the runway. Rescue teams scramble out to the disaster in tractors and off-road vehicles.