Ground was broken for the new station in June 2022.

“Fourteen months later we are open and ready to serve the community,” Fire Chief Kelli Kronschnabel said. The station was set to officially open Friday at about 4 p.m.

“This station improves and expands the umbrella of fire protection for the residents of Minot, provides crews with everything they need to serve and protect our community. It provides residents of northwest Minot with a greater sense of security, knowing that when an emergency happens, we are closer than ever,” Kronschnabel said.

Kronschnabel credited contractors, the architect and community partners who donated to the project for making the station possible.

Minot Fire Chief Kelli Kronschnabel speaks at a grand opening ceremony for the new Fire Station 5 as firefighters look on.

Alan Dostert, EAPC Architects, noted the extra effort that city and fire department leadership took to ensure the new station design works well.

“Not just as a fire station but as a home for the firefighters that will be here,” he said.

The station includes a kitchen, lounge, bedrooms, a captain’s office, laundry and fitness facilities as well as a garage and other spaces for modern trucks, equipment and training. Lining a hallway are framed photos featuring the fire department over the years.

Mayor Tom Ross said the fire station is not just about responding to emergencies but it’s about strengthening the bonds of the community, fostering a sense of security and peace of mind.

“This fire station stands not only as a symbol of our resilience but also a testament to our collective determination to provide the highest level of safety for every corner of our city,” Ross said. “The completion of this fire station is also a testament to the collaborative spirit that defines the City of Minot. Our government worked hand in hand with community members, architects and builders to bring this vision to life. The support and funding from our citizens as well as our local businesses demonstrated that, when we all contribute, we all achieve greatness together. The result is not just bricks and mortar but a tangible embodiment of our shared commitment to safeguarding our neighborhoods.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Fire Station 5 drew a number of people from the community who were able to tour the new facility.

City Manager Harold Stewart linked the new station with the city’s mission statement that includes “serving our neighbors, building our community with pride.”

“I can think of nothing that illustrates that first statement – serving our neighbors – in our mission statement better than this facility here,” he said.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours of the new station followed the program.