FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE City of Oak Harbor Fire Station 82 Groundbreaking
Oak Harbor, WA – March 5, 2025 - City officials, staff, firefighters, and community members gathered to break ground on the City of Oak Harbor Fire Station 82. Oak Harbor Fire Station 82 is made possible by voter-approved funding from the November 8, 2022 General Election.
Fire Station 82 is located in Oak Harbor’s southwest area. It is a step toward improving emergency response times and public safety by placing firefighters closer to high-growth neighborhoods while increasing staffing to ensure citywide 24/7 fire and medical coverage. The station will be approximately 7,300 square feet and designed with firefighter safety and efficiency in mind, featuring modern decontamination areas, individual sleeping quarters, and essential training and fitness spaces. Construction is expected to be completed by Spring 2026, and residents can follow project updates at www.oakharbor.gov/firelevy.
“We are not just building a fire station, we are building security. We are building peace of mind. We are building a safer Oak Harbor,” said Fire Chief Anderson. “This station is critical to improving emergency response times across the city. For many areas, this new station will reduce response times by more than 50%, and in emergency situations, every second counts. We are grateful to the citizens of Oak Harbor for their support, which will directly impact saving lives and property.”
Chief Anderson continued, “I want to thank our city leadership, council members, and our fire service partners from North Whidbey Fire, Central Whidbey Fire, South Whidbey Fire, NAS Whidbey Island Fire, and Whidbey Health. Your support and collaboration ensure that help is never far away when emergencies arise. A big thank you also goes to Valdez Construction for being a vital partner in bringing this vision to life.”
“Most importantly, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the citizens of Oak Harbor. Your investment in our fire department and your community is an investment in safety—your safety. We are proud to have this opportunity to enhance our ability to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies. This station will provide critical coverage, and we look forward to serving the community for many years to come.”
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For media inquiries or more information, contact Oak Harbor Fire Department Fire Service Analyst, Angela Braunstein at abraunstein@oakharbor.org.