July 25, 2008

The Pala Band of Mission Indians is scheduled to celebrate the opening of a $9 million fire station Saturday.

The 45,000-square-foot, two-story facility, on the tribe’s reservation east of Fallbrook, includes an emergency operations center and training facility.

The training facility features a four-story tower with two simulation rooms for personnel to practice fighting fires.

“We have had this as a goal for many years, and after two years of construction I am proud to announce the grand opening,” said Pala Chairman Robert Smith.

The station will house 30 full-time firefighters and 15 reserve personnel. The Pala Fire Department serves 20 square miles and has mutual aid agreements with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, North County Fire, Rincon Reservation Fire Department, Pechanga Fire Department and Valley Center Fire Protection District.

The grand opening celebration is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at the fire station, 34884 Lilac Extension Road.

Copyright (c) North County Times

Posted on July 25th, 2008 by hunwut
Filed under: Reservations, Wild Fires