West Ashley, South Carolina – Charleston Fire Department has finally moved into the Charleston Fire Station 11 in West Ashley and the new building means so much for the people working there.
“When the fire occurred, I was one of the project managers that worked with the families to determine what we wanted to do with the memorial. So, for over 10 years I’ve been a part of this project,” said Beth Brownlee, the project’s manager.
“Being able to turn it over, being able to show it to the families, being able to provide them with a tour and heat their stories and feel their emotion, really made it worth it.”
The constriction of the building took almost three years until fully finished and special things were added in the building to help remember the nine firefighters who died in 2007.
A large logo commemorating the Charleston Nine is hanging in the lobby, and nine large bay windows stand tall in the station, overlooking the site of the deadly fire.
“I’ve been here for 23 years, so I was here for the fire. Having this station here helps us honor the nine people that we lost next door,” said Battalion Chief Greg Chesher.
“The guys who serve here understand that we will never forget them and this is just a testimony for them,” he added.
Remembering those nine firefighters is a legacy for all the current ones. When one sees the things that we made for them, will make everyone proud being part of the fire department, he added.
The total cost of the new building reached almost $6 million.
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