TONTITOWN, Arkansas — Firefighters in Tontitown are getting a much-needed upgrade.
On Saturday morning, firefighters and members of the Tontitown community gathered at their brand-new fire station for its first view to the public.
Over a year after the city broke ground on the project for the Tontitown Fire Department (TFD), the community was invited to witness the “hose cutting" ceremony and tour the facility.
But why is this so important? Until now, Tontitown has only had a volunteer firefighter system. One resident, Aaron McConnell, urgently needed more help when his house was engulfed in flames back in 2022.
“It cost them everything. I mean everything. I mean the baby didn’t even have a diaper to change into,” McConnell's neighbor Brad Burns said.
Now, with a new department the mayor says they can hire a full-time staff that can respond to those calls.
"The security of knowing that we are right down the road now, we can get there is everything. We have full time firefighters, and I think that that's really going to help the citizens ease their minds to know that we can get there in their time," Tontitown Mayor Angela Russell said.
The firefighters say that they are relieved to be able to help in a greater capacity.
"We're really going to enjoy the space is going to be awesome just to be able to get out move around instead of being cooped up in a little shed," firefighter Brody Bowen said.
The facility has a full kitchen, five bedrooms, and even a movie theater. Bowen tells me they now have enough space for 11 full-time firefighters.
City council member Misty Piazza tells 5NEWS this project could not have been possible without the community’s contributions.
"We have worked with the community to put together a Walmart registry to help them stock the kitchen, and other items that they need around the station," Piazza said. "The community has just come out all arms open and helped out and it's just been such a blessing."
Piazza says that they're currently adding last minute touches to the facility. It should be in full operation in the coming weeks.
Congressman Steve Womack was in attendance at the celebration.
"Today, we are answering one of those needs in one of our smaller communities. City of Tontitown is dedicating a $5 million headquarters fire station," Womack said.
Womack later released the following statement:
“Congratulations to Tontitown on their brand-new, state-of-the-art fire station! The great people of Tontitown have responded to the needs of this bustling and growing town with this top-tier facility, which will take care of our courageous firefighters so they can do their job protecting us. A special congratulations to Fire Chief Krug on his official new role, and a big thank you to our firefighters who day in and day out answer the call to serve to keep our community safe.”
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