[StBernard] ST. BERNARD PARISH FIRE STATION NO. 8 OPENS IN POYDRAS

[Westley Annis]

ST. BERNARD PARISH FIRE STATION NO. 8 OPENS IN POYDRAS 

Parish celebrates the grand opening of the 10th fire station repaired or
reconstructed since Hurricane Katrina

 

St. Bernard Parish President Craig P. Taffaro, Jr., the Parish Council and
the Fire Department celebrated the 10th grand opening of St. Bernard Parish
fire stations at Fire Station No. 8 in Poydras. This is the seventh brand
new fire station to be constructed with FEMA funding. The other three
stations damaged by Hurricane Katrina's flooding and winds were repaired.

Fire Station No. 8, located at 613 Bayou Road, cost $2,274,000. That amount
includes demolition of the original structure, the new facility's
construction and architectural and engineering design work.

"We put these projects together through our partnerships with FEMA and
GOHSEP so these guys who work in the fire station can have a place to call
home," said St. Bernard Parish President Craig P. Taffaro, Jr. "This is the
10th out of 10 fire stations where we have celebrated grand openings."
Additionally, because of a progressive review process, Fire Station No. 3
will become a new fire station.  


"The federal government and FEMA recognize St. Bernard's right to drive
their own destiny," said John Connolly, FEMA Senior Public Assistance
Advisor." This 10th fire station grand opening is the conclusion of an
effort that has been really outstanding hard work by Craig Taffaro to bring
about a better community and a much better fire department." Projects like
the new fire stations support the current population while allowing for
future growth, he said.

"I'm excited that we have finally got our firefighters back into the station
house," said Fire Chief Thomas Stone.

Councilman Wayne J. Landry congratulated the firefighters. "We appreciate
all your work, and we are glad you have such a fine facility."

District E Councilman Fred Everhardt, who represents the area, said: "I'm
glad to see the last of four fire stations in eastern St. Bernard completed
and housing our first responders. It's a great facility and I thank FEMA and
the administration. It's a beautiful fire house."

The building's first floor has more than 3,400 square feet, and the second
floor has nearly 2,600 square feet. The second floor slab elevation is 18
feet above the ground floor, and the structure is designed to withstand 132
mile-per-hour winds. The project contractor was Braithwaite Construction.
The architect was Chase Design Group, and the engineering was done by Stuart
Consulting Group. Craig S. Landry was the Project Manager for CDM, which
oversees all FEMA projects, and CDM Overall FEMA Projects' Manager  is
Dennis Tauzin. President Taffaro thanked all those who worked to construct
the fire station, including those who work for parish government, including
Chief Administrative Officer Dave Dysart, Recovery Director Mike Dorris, Jr.
and the Department of Public works with Gil Carlin as the Resident Engineer
on this project.

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