County Commissioner Burt Aaronson was among the dignitaries at the official opening of Fire Station 44 at 6670 Flavor Pict Road, between Jog and Hagen Ranch Roads, Friday October 31. This station, on the south side of Flavor Pict Road opposite the Green Cay apartment complex, will cover the area from Woolbright to Flavor Pict going north to south, and from Hagen Ranch Road east to Military Trail.

I stopped by Tuesday, October 28, before the official opening and spoke to Lt. Cliff Mike, a veteran of 13 years in the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Department who was on duty at this new facility. There is one Fire Engine and one Rescue Truck housed in the new 3,000 sq. ft. building at Station 44. Paramedic Jim Glass and Driver Travis Thomas are Lt. Mike’s staff members for the present. The staff works a 24 hour shift and is then off for 48 hours when a new crew of three come on duty. Wednesday, October 29, Lt. Kelly Hoffman was in charge with Evelyn Aguiler, Paramedic and Steve Wilber, Driver as staffers.

The compact, newly constructed building consists of an office for the watch officer; a main bunk room; a living room with a kitchen and a Watch area room with computer for filing reports.

When Lt. Mike, spoke to me Tuesday, he said: “We could use more crew members but because of the tight budget conditions in the County it doesn’t look like we’ll get help anytime soon.”

It is important to know Station 44 is always backed up by other Battalion stations in the area. Station 42 at Hagen Ranch Road near the new library to the south and Fire Station 46 to the north stand ready to rush in and help whenever needed.

We welcome this new asset to our area and wish them well.

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