LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Evidence is Compelling to Invest in New Fire Station 1

Walking into Westwood Firehouse One feels like stepping into Ghostbusters Headquarters… minus the ectoplasm. There’s office space overflowing with people, confidential files crammed wherever they’ll fit, and a little emergency gear. The mess room doubles as a conference room and triples as a common area. Dorm space for five is wedged into what used to be two rooms, and unlike Ghostbusters Headquarters, the floor here might actually collapse.

On my tour with Deputy Chief Bob Kilroy (who I just discovered is riding in the Pan Mass Challenge), we talked about Firefighters’ Foam, Westwood Day, driving kids to school in a firetruck, and all the fun things our firefighters do. But my main question wasn’t, “What do you want in a new station?” It was, “What do you need?” The answer: space. Right now, finding room for offices, files, and an expanding, more diverse staff is like playing a never-ending sliding puzzle.

Consider what’s essential for a modern, safe, and efficient fire station: training areas, enough dorm rooms, a maintenance bay, decontamination space, and garage space. Ideally, garage space where the wall isn’t about to fall off the back of the building. Currently, some vehicles are trapped behind others, wasting precious minutes during calls for brush fires, highway accidents, and other emergencies. Our safety and the safety of our firefighters is being compromised without adequate measures.

The proposed Firehouse One plans address these issues. The staff would no longer need to worry about ADA compliance, usurping library space for training, carcinogens in their living space, unblocking emergency vehicles, dodging cars flying through their parking lot, managing a full station of people trying to utilize two showers, or keeping confidential files in a trailer or “desk with a lock that could be picked with a paperclip.”

I grew up in Westwood, taught in Westwood, and my children attend Westwood schools. I’m invested in seeing our town thrive. Most residents agree that the current fire station needs replacing. The debate is whether we need this station, given the cost. I remember my parents asking the same question when the “new” high school was in planning stages well after my brother and I had graduated. And just a few years ago, my husband and I wondered similarly about the new elementary school, which neither of my boys would attend. And yet, we benefit from them. Infrastructure is the lifeblood of a town, and our schools, police, and fire stations should take priority. When we invest in them, we make Westwood more attractive to families and businesses, strengthen tax revenue, and increase home values. But, most importantly, we make Westwood safer.

Nobody loves higher taxes. However, many of our public buildings were built in the 1940s, which means they’re reaching the end of their usable life now. Furthermore, our population is growing, especially among the young and elderly. Since Bob started at FH1, calls have tripled and staff has doubled. Moreover, Firehouse 1 ended up converting locker space to rooms for female firefighters, as co-ed living space is non-existent. The proposed station is designed to meet Westwood’s needs for at least the next 50 years.

The town has done thorough studies which you can easily find by googling ‘Westwood Firestation 1 updates’ or for the time-conscious, ‘Westwood Firestation FAQ.’ Better yet, visit. The staff will show you around and answer all your questions.

The evidence is compelling: this station is our best option. Our firefighters deserve it. Our community needs it.

Steph Finegold

Thanks to Steph Finegold, Westwood resident, for sharing this letter and these comments with Westwood Minute.

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You may also be interested in:

- OPINION: Can the Taxpayers Afford All the Bells & Whistles on FS1? (published October 2024)

- Vote on the new Fire Station

- Comment on FS1

- Special Town Election: Revote on Debt Exclusion for a New Fire Station 1 (UPDATED) (Calendar event)