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City of West Bend Fire Station #1 Construction Updates & Project Details

Written by Tracy Lisowe | Sep 10, 2025 8:43:35 PM

TL;DR

The City of West Bend has broken ground on a new Fire Station #1 at Highways 33 and 45. The 44,000-square-foot headquarters will replace the 1967 station and is designed to improve response times, readiness and training. This page will share construction updates from groundbreaking through ribbon cutting.

Preparedness in Motion

Ground broke in September 2025 with firefighters, city leaders and neighbors gathered to mark the start of construction. Early work includes grading, utilities and foundation preparation across the 12-acre site. Progress photos and milestones will be shared as the building comes out of the ground.

Built for Today and Tomorrow

The current station, built in 1967, was originally designed for a team of 16. Today, it supports more than 50 full-time personnel, stretching the limits of its space and systems. Over time, infrastructure has become outdated, with equipment bays too narrow for modern fire engines, limited parking, and mechanical systems long past their useful life.

The new Fire Station #1 is designed with the future in mind. Key improvements include:

  • Expanded space to house today’s larger apparatus and provide secure parking bays
  • Safer access with improved site design that reduces risks for both crews and the public
  • Modern facilities that support a growing and diverse workforce with updated dorms, locker rooms, and training spaces
  • Integrated training that brings essential firefighter readiness exercises on-site rather than requiring costly and time-consuming travel


Training Where It Matters

Readiness improves when training is close to the people who respond. The new station brings hands-on drills and scenario work on-site. That means less time away from coverage and more opportunities to practice the skills that keep residents safe.

What’s Next

Site work will transition to vertical construction as foundations are poured and the structure goes up. Exterior enclosure, interior buildout and systems commissioning will follow. The timeline will be updated as milestones are reached through fall 2026.

Once complete, the 44,000-square-foot facility will:

  • Serve as the headquarters for West Bend’s fire and EMS teams
  • Provide state-of-the-art training areas that align with national standards
  • Expand service coverage so crews can reach more of the city within four minutes


Key Takeaways

  • Location: Highways 33 and 45 with safer access for crews and the public
  • Scale: 44,000 square foot headquarters built to house modern apparatus
  • Readiness: On-site training spaces to support national standards
  • People: Updated dorms, locker rooms and common areas that fit today’s team
  • Coverage: Site and circulation planned to help crews reach more of the city within four minutes


Follow the Project

Details about Fire Station #1 are available on the City of West Bend website. Check back here for ongoing photos and construction notes as work progresses from groundbreaking to ribbon-cutting.

City project page: westbendwi.gov/fire/new_fire_station_1

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Date: Sept. 10, 2025 | Author: Tracy Lisowe

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