(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) is inviting the community to the grand opening of Fire Station 24 on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 10:30 a.m., and will feature remarks from Mayor Yemi Mobolade and Fire Chief Randy Royal.

The new fire station, located at 2415 New Life Drive, will serve a rapidly growing area on the north side of Colorado Springs. CSFD reported that staff are in the process of moving equipment to the station, which will go into operation on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 8 a.m.

CSFD began planning for the station in early 2021 as construction increased in the area and the number of calls for emergency response rose. According to CSFD, the department holds the standard of having a fire engine arrive at an emergency within eight minutes 90% of the time, and the new station was necessary to keep that standard on the north side.