Shreveport Fire Department Announces the Opening of a New Station #8
This is another of those stories that is just a little bittersweet to me. Back in the 80's I wanted to be on the Shreveport Fire Department so badly, I even sat through a city council meeting where the city department heads were presenting their upcoming fiscal year budgets. The city, at that time, was under a hiring freeze, and I wanted to see if a new training class was going to be scheduled for the fire department. I had several friends then who were already firemen, and I hung out at #8... a lot... I love that building. It turns out God had other plans for me, (otherwise I wouldn't be here at this awesome job today), so I think it worked out for the best. Seems He knew what He was doing.
I was intrigued when I heard that the city essentially swapped properties with Willis Knighton for the new station location. I am curious as to what the plans are for the original location of #8, as this is an historic building. KEEL NEWS reached out to Willis Knighton officials regarding their plans. Willis Knighton CAO Brian Crawford said:
We don't have any plans at this time. We will continue to maintain the property and be good stewards of this historic station.
The city recently posted on the SFD Facebook page that they are on schedule to open Shreveport's newest fire station on Greenwood Road at the begining of July. Congratulations to Chief Clarence Reese Jr and his staff on this exciting news.