Naperville breaks ground on 10th fire house

Residents in Naperville's southwest corner soon will be able to sleep a little easier knowing firefighters are nearby if the need arises.

The city broke ground Tuesday on its 10th fire station. Located on 95th Street just west of Route 59, the $2.4 million facility is scheduled to open in late fall.

"The city of Naperville and the Naperville Fire Department will always do its best to preserve public safety and keep the lives and property of this community safe in every way possible," Chief Mark Puknaitis said. "I am confident this station will certainly lead to many lives and properties being saved."

The station will serve an area bordered by 83rd Street to the north, Book Road to the east, the city boundary to the west and electrical lines between 95th and 103rd streets to the south. The sector includes neighborhoods such as White Eagle, Carillon Club, Tall Grass and Aero Estates.

The fire department strives to reach emergencies within six minutes at least 90 percent of the time. Current response times in this area are under six minutes just 70 percent of the time.

The department attributes the shortfall to heavy traffic on Route 59 and the distance from the closest stations.

"Our southwest sector has just grown tremendously over the past 20 years and this fire station will allow us to more quickly and efficiently provide public safety services to the residents and businesses in this sector," said Nadja Lalvani, community relations manager.

The station will be 9,885 square feet with three apparatus bays, living quarters, a hose tower and turn-out gear storage room. It is being built on land donated by the developer of Naperville Crossings.

Architect for the project is Charles Vincent George Design Group and construction is being done by R.C. Wegman Construction Company.

Station 10 will be an environmentally friendly building with geothermal heating and cooling, in-slab radiant heating and LED lights. The city is applying for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

"Not only is the city of Naperville looking out for your safety but the safety of the environment as well," Mayor George Pradel said.

The station will be staffed with existing personnel to lessen the impact on the city's budget.

"We're doing everything we can do to be as flexible as possible and use city funds, municipal funds, in the most economic way possible," Puknaitis said.