The anticipated weather event this weekend prompted an early opening to the long-awaited West End fire station in Waynesboro.
While the goal had been to be operational on Feb. 1, officials scrambled this week to place the new station into service.
On Friday, Waynesboro Fire Department 2 was activated, and within two hours, the fire department answered five calls for service.
Between calls, local fire department officials celebrated with a flag ceremony.
The new fire station is located at the intersection of Lew Dewitt Boulevard and Osage Lane.
A ribbon cutting will be held at a later date.
Work got under way on the $8.8 million project in October 2024. American Rescue Plan Act funds accounted for $3.7 million of the total project cost.
ARPA funds were designated to localities across the U.S. to aid recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Waynesboro received more than $9 million in ARPA funding which was also allocated toward a raw water tank and Sunset Park.
The current station at 300 W. Broad St. remains in service.
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