HUNTINGTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Construction on the Huntington Fire Department’s Mayor Joseph L. Williams Jr. Fire Station has been moving along at an impressive rate, with the process expected to reach its conclusion in the coming months.
The Huntington Fire Department reports the work on the station, located at the corner of 9th Avenue and 20th Street, is nearly complete. As such, the department anticipates that the new station will be operational sooner rather than later, with the late summer/early fall period being earmarked as an expected time frame for bringing the station into service.
A public groundbreaking ceremony for the station was held in mid-June of last year, at which time the anticipated timeframe for completion of construction was roughly the same as that of the present-day (12-16 months from June 2022).
The station takes its name from Mayor Joseph L. Williams Jr., the former Mayor of Huntington who, during the groundbreaking ceremony in June of last year, current Mayor Steve Williams referred to as a friend and mentor.
“So much of what we’ve been attempting to do the last ten years is to make sure that certainly our property is protected [and] that our citizens are properly protected,” said Mayor Steve Williams at the ceremony.
“We will not be satisfied with anything less than the Huntington Fire Department being the best professional fire department in the nation. That’s what the citizens of our city deserve, and certainly that’s what every member of the Huntington Fire Department endeavors to accomplish.”
Mayor Williams presented the former Mayor Williams and namesake inspiration for the department, Mayor Joseph L. Williams Jr., who expressed gratitude for being honored with the gesture.
“This is something that I never expected. It humbles me, and I’m honored,” said Williams during the ceremony.
“If there’s a call, they will go – sometimes jeopardizing their own health and well-being in order to protect people, their homes, their property, and in many cases, saving their lives. I don’t think there’s a greater love for humankind than when you’re willing to sacrifice yourself to protect others. Having said that, I can say that it’s quite an honor to be associated with [this] group of men and women of the Huntington Fire Department, and I thank all involved in our new fire station which will enhance the entire Fairfield community.”
In related news, City of Huntington Fire Department Lieutenant Chris Mellert was promoted last week during a ceremony last week which also saw an appearance from Huntington Mayor Steve Williams. Mellert, a nearly 15-year veteran of the Huntington Fire Department, was promoted to the rank of Captain on Thursday.
Additional LOOTPRESS coverage for the Huntington area can be seen here.