Fire District Task Force Moving Into New East Palo Alto Location

MENLO PARK, CA — Menlo Park Fire Protection District's Task Force 3 announced Monday a new permanent warehouse facility. The task force's new home will be in East Palo Alto.

"On the 16th Anniversary of the attacks of 9-11, Task Force 3, one of the 28 National Response Teams that responded to the World Trade Center, has secured a permanent 28,000 square foot warehouse facility in East Palo Alto," Fire Chief Harold Schapelhouman said in an announcement.

According to Schapelhouman, the district has been renting its current warehouse space for more than 12 years. Two years ago, Facebook purchased the property.

"The campus was purchased by Facebook two years ago and while they have treated us more than fairly, we know that their was no room for us on the proposed new Willow Campus," the chief said.

Some members of Task Force 3 are currently deployed in Florida to provide aid to victims of Hurricane Irma. The district will not leave the warehouse in Menlo Park that's owned by Facebook until those members return home.

— Bay City News Service contributed to this report / Image: Members of Task Force 3 conduct a briefing prior to leaving to drive straight through to Georgia for help with Hurricane Irma / Credit: Action Photography, Peter Mootz