Residents stepping up to help fix up HFD fire station

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- When an emergency calls, they come running. But what happens when firefighters need a little help from the community? In Oak Forest, neighbors are stepping up and do something about it.

Fire Station 13 is nearly 60 years old, and there are some serious issues with it.

"The crew works pretty hard," Capt. Paul Bivens said. "Physical space is limited. It's an older fire station."03

Station 13 was built in 1956. A quick tour with Capt. Bivens revealed just how badly this old building needs sprucing up: the bathroom's outdated; the foundation's cracking; the dorm's peppered with problems too.

"It's, it's obviously cramped in here, but we make do with what we have," Bivens said.

But what Station 13 has is supportive neighbors in Oak Forest. They noticed the need and wanted to help out.

"Some of the things we noticed was tiles were missing, old carpet, water leaking back up and we started talking to them," Oak Forest HOA president Laura Christensen said.

Christensen says the group voted to adopt Station 13 and began working with the city on a plan to fast-track much needed renovations like gutting the place for new work spaces, separate accommodations for female staff and a new lounge for these firefighters they call family.

"They do go through the neighborhoods, not just when we need them, but just to visit us and make sure we know they are there," Christensen said.

So far, neighbors have raised $18,500 but are working to raise $26,000 to help offset the cost of needed equipment and incidentals.

"Since I've been with the city, I can't recall having this much involvement with an HOA, and it's pretty cool," Bivens said.

The fire department say Station 13's renovations are expected to begin this summer. The community is planning a crawfish boil fundraiser from 11am-3pm Saturday at 5050 Acorn Golf.