Photo by: City of Eastvale/JAB Photography
City officials and CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department personnel take part in the ceremonial groundbreaking on Dec. 8 for Eastvale’s Fire Station No. 31.

By Emily Aguilar

The groundbreaking ceremony for Fire Station 31 made December 8 a special day in Eastvale.  Although Eastvale already has one fire station on Hamner Avenue, the city decided that it would be best to build a second fire station on Chandler Avenue to serve the western portion of the city.  Construction has already started and should be completed within the next year or so. Numerous guests, ranging from city officials to Cal Fire firefighters, were invited to commemorate the groundbreaking in a city that makes safety a “number one priority”.

The ceremony proved to be an event praising Eastvale’s “smart, progressive” steps toward public safety. A passionate Cal Fire Chief John Hawkins opened his statement by speaking about the recent terrorist attacks that have devastated the country. He stated that we as Americans must not “run fearfully” from cowards who want to deprive the country of peace. Chief Hawkins said that he regards Eastvale as a “lead horse” that leads its citizens towards safety, and he praised officials for caring deeply about those who inhabit the city. To conclude the speech, he stated that he and his workers feel like it is an honorable obligation to ensure that city residents receive the safety they expect and deserve. His speech was met with applause.

The city also received two certificates of recognition from Assemblyman Eric Linder and Senator Roth. Mayor Ike Bootsma took a moment to thank construction planning personnel, Cal Fire, and city members for working with the city to plan the construction of the fire station, emphasizing once again that it is the city’s obligation to attend to the “growing needs” of the community.

Photo by: City of Eastvale/JAB Photography
Eastvale Mayor Ike Bootsma and City Manager Michelle Nissen stand proudly next to a CAL FIRE engine truck at the groundbreaking ceremony for the city’s second fire station.