RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - An estimated 150 visitors, including dozens of families, attended the open house hosted by the Sacramento County Metropolitan Fire District on Sept. 21 at Station 59 in Rancho Murieta.

Everyone interviewed expressed excitement about exploring the Sac Metro fire station, which houses five first responders who serve the community 24/7. However, the kids seemed to have the most fun. They climbed inside fire trucks, an ambulance and even a bulldozer. They also got to spray water from a fire hose and went home wearing new fire helmets.

One of the most enthusiastic attendees was 4-year-old Nathan Bennett, who eagerly explored the cab of an antique fire truck while his father Chad watched.

“This is awesome because he is really into firefighters,” Chad said. “And we’re teaching him some safety, so he’s all about it.”

Nathan’s mother, Heather Bennett, added that he enjoys dressing up as a firefighter nearly every day. “He also watches all the cute fire shows, so this was perfect timing,” she said.

The station’s large apparatus bay was cleared for the event. Welcoming visitors at the entrance was Community Specialist April West. 

“Are you guys ready to start the tour?” she asked a family, handing them a “Meet the Crew” flyer. “OK, when you go around the station, you’re going to meet everyone on B shift,” she explained.

The flyer featured Captain Jim Pritchard, Engineer Zachary Taylor and Firefighter Dmitriy Bloshenko, along with Paramedic-Firefighters Thomas Atkins and Robert Sinetos, with their photos pasted on a fire truck and ambulance. Although the station has 10 other firefighters working the “A” and “C” shifts, they had the day off.

Several other Sac Metro personnel assisted with the open house, including Capt. Tony Glenn, a public information officer, and Fire Inspector Diana Smith, who regularly attends the quarterly online meetings of the Rancho Murieta Fire Safe Council.

The Fire Safe Council also set up a booth at the event. Fortunately, one of its members, Brenna Howell — a Rancho Murieta resident who also leads the Sacramento County Fire Safe Council — was present. She brought plenty of informational materials and giveaways, which were quickly picked up by visitors.

While most residents who visit the station only see a small office area, the open house allowed full access to the living quarters and storage areas for apparatus and equipment.

The station’s living amenities include individual dormitory rooms for the five firefighters and a separate one for the captain. Glenn noted that this arrangement is an improvement over older stations, where firefighters shared a single bunk room. The added privacy benefits female firefighters and helps to isolate members who snore.

Other amenities include a day room with comfortable recliners and a big-screen TV, a small kitchen and a well-equipped gym. The apparatus bay, which can hold up to six pieces of equipment, currently houses a Type 1 residential fire truck, a Type 3 wildland fire truck, a water tender and two ambulances.

Glenn discussed a key decision made by Sac Metro two years ago to increase staffing at Station 59. 

“So, it went from a crew of three to five people out here, which was a big improvement,” he said.

Previously, the three-person engine crew could provide advanced life support (requiring paramedic training), but they had to wait for an ambulance to arrive.

 “Now we have a fully staffed ambulance out here that allows for immediate transport,” Glenn explained. “This leaves the three-person crew available to respond to other calls,” he added.

Among the tour guides was Paramedic-Firefighter Thomas Adkins, who has worked at Station 59 for 8½ years. 

“I feel like I have the best job,” he said. “I am so proud of it.”