New fire station opens in downtown San Jose

One of San Jose’s busiest fire stations has a new, state-of-the-art facility in downtown that will better serve its firefighters and residents.

The San Jose Fire Department, city leaders and neighborhood residents on Thursday celebrated the opening of Fire Station 8 at 601 E. Santa Clara St. The previous fire station, located a few blocks away, had served downtown since the 1940s and faced soil erosion from its proximity to Coyote Creek — which prompted the move.

The new two-story, 5,562-square-foot station includes an apparatus bay, crew and captain offices, kitchen, dining and living area, exercise room and four private dormitories. Funding from Measure T, a $650 million bond approved by voters in 2018 to fund disaster preparedness, public safety and infrastructure, helped pay for the new station.

Resident Pete Anderson said having the fire station near his home provides better access to services and makes him feel safer.

“It’s a big investment,” he told San José Spotlight. “Nice to see it be completed and ready for anything.”

Twelve firefighters are assigned to Fire Station 8, divided into three shifts. Four firefighters are on duty 24 hours a day.  

Brett Maas, battalion chief with the San Jose Fire Department, said the station is a home away from home for the city’s firefighters. The old station was like a crowded small apartment, Maas said, but now there’s space to move. The new station has a separate space to decontaminate gear after responding to fires, which he said will keep firefighters healthier.

“Having a nice, comfortable, modern facility is going to give them that rest they need, so they’re recovered and ready for the next call,” Maas said.

Fire Station 8 responded to 4,054 calls last year, Mayor Matt Mahan said at the opening — more than 11 service calls every day.

The downtown station plays a critical role in protecting residents, with firefighters battling a blaze earlier this week that destroyed a business in the SoFa District. District 3 Councilmember Anthony Tordillos, who represents where the station is located, said SJFD’s quick response allowed firefighters to contain the blaze and prevent it from damaging other neighboring buildings.

Tordillos said the new station will assist with the city’s efforts to recruit and retain public safety workers.

“The old station had not really been seriously upgraded for 77 years,” Tordillos told San José Spotlight. “It’s so great to have a new, modern facility that’s going to better serve our firefighters and also better serve our community.”

Engine 8 is seen as the fire department’s North Star in terms of providing service to residents, Fire Chief Robert Sapien, Jr. said.

“Every taxpayer would love to never have to call the fire department, but yet every one of them is willing to support having the fire department here for their neighbor,” he said. “It’s an amazing example of community. It really speaks to us being in this together.”

Contact Lorraine Gabbert at [email protected].