Friends and family of firefighters, passersby and the curious converged on the new Fire Department Station No. 2 on Saturday, to take a first look at the now-completed building.
Though an “official” ribbon cutting was held on Dec. 13, 2024, and the station was staffed for this year’s Fourth of July, Red Flag Warnings and other periods of elevated fire danger, it has not been regularly staffed or in use for most of the year.
On hand were Fire Chief Jason Boaz, Fire Marshal Lance Macdonald, and most of the department’s 12 paid personnel and 22 reserve firefighters. They fielded questions, explained what different pieces of equipment were used for, demonstrated extinguishing an out-of-control cooking fire, and handed out toy trucks and child-size fire hats.
Also taking part were Healdsburg police, Bell’s Ambulance, COPE and Fire Safe Sonoma—with Ruben’s handmade tacos available for all.
The open house coincided with the culmination of Fire Prevention Week 2025, Oct. 5-11, which this year emphasized the growing importance of lithium-battery safety. Firefighters shared tips for charging, storing, and disposing of lithium-powered devices to help prevent fires at home and at work. Lithium batteries can become unstable through physical damage, overheating or improper charging.
The location of the new station is crucial. At 1805 Healdsburg Ave., it’s across the street from the new “North Healdsburg” complex of the Enso retirement community, the resort and restaurant Appellation Healdsburg, and the North Village Townhomes nearing completion. (The four-way signal at the intersection they share is now fully operational.)
The proximity of Montage Healdsburg and Parkland Farms area, with its in-development Saggio Hills affordable housing complex, are also seen as within the station’s key response area.
The new station has a spacious double garage for the response vehicles, a kitchen and connected dining area, a study room with computer connections and a screening room with four comfortable new theater seats. It does not have designated bunks or dorm rooms, however, and at this point is still not expected to house a 24-hour shift.
“Currently underway is a comprehensive Standards of Cover study, which will help guide our future deployment models and optimize the use of Measure H funding,” said Fire Marshal Macdonald. “This data-driven process will assist in determining the most effective way to utilize Station 2—potentially including a more permanent staffing model.”
The station was built using Measure H funds, approved in March 2024, a countywide half-cent sales tax to supplement funding for wildfire prevention and preparedness, paramedic services, and emergency and disaster response. About $7.5 million was spent on the design, construction and appointment of the building.
