The top of the Emporia Fire Department’s engines list four principles that have guided the department for decades: courage, dedication, integrity and compassion.
Another emotion was evident Saturday: pride.
The pride, stemming from a history of high-level service to the community, came as the fire department held its 150th anniversary open house. Fire Chief Brandon Beck:
Beck says it was good to look back at the department’s history in the days leading up to the open house.
The open house comes as the fire department is in the early stages of building a brand-new fire headquarters in the 500 block of Market, a block east of the current headquarters underneath White Auditorium, and expanding Station 2 at 15th and Industrial. Plans for both ventures, specifically the new headquarters, are under development.
