Big things are in the works for Station 8, or as they are calling it now “The Ocho”. As the story is unravelling, the details are slowly seeping out. Everyone knows that Medic 8 was supposed to go in service in July after the 6 positions are moved back within City limits from Clearbrook (County #7).  What was unforseen was the quick scramble to get the medic truck in service by next Tuesday. It is unclear exactly why we didn’t requisition a new medic unit and furnish it with new equipment. Instead, medic 8 will  be using Reserve 904 with a full supply of extra equipment. The only thing I have heard is that Roanoke City Manager Burcham wants it in service by Tuesday.

It is interesting how we have such a push to put new apparatus in service only weeks after announcing we were unfunding 6 positions within the City, two weeks after Roanoke City getting word that 11 firefighters were retiring this year, among a hiring and promotion freeze until next year. All this after two successful years of losing positions in Public Safety.

Doing more with less. That is the Nation wide trend in Public Safety.

I digress.

Medic 8 is going in service. Overtime has been approved if necessary. The Ocho will be full swing in a matter of 6 days.

Oh…and the Credit Union is out. After almost 75 years of being run in within the confines of a Roanoke City Fire Station (not always station 8 I believe), the CU will be on the move. The new home for the Roanoke Virginia Firemen Federal Credit Union will be at the Southwestern Telco Federal Credit Union on Hershberger Road. I know many of you have wondered what the heck is going on and when, why, how, and where the CU was moving. I have wondered the same. I found out today that sometime around the 1st of May the CU will move to Telco.

And so a new chapter begins at Station 8…the Ocho…enjoy some pics from the guys down at #8 I snapped today.