Newport Beach Fire Department Makes Their Mark On New Firehouse

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Newport Beach Firefighters gathered in the top story of the new Station 2 to make their mark on the new building.

On Tuesday, Newport Beach City Council, Firefighters and the City of Newport Beach Public Works Department came out for the "topping out" ceremony.

The original Newport Beach Fire Station 2 was located on 32nd Street. Originally built in 1953, the station was determined to be "at the end of its useful life," according to the city. The 32nd Street station no longer met the operational needs for fire equipment and was scheduled to be rebuilt on site. However, officials later decided that a different site, three miles away, would be better suited to parking problems, space issues, and onsite circulation.

When City staff saw the potential to purchase a larger parcel a mere three miles away, they went to work.

The new site on Newport Boulevard—still thought of by many as the former McDonald's—

A total of 11 firefighters who will call the new fire station home donned hardhats over helmets and wielded Sharpie markers instead of firehose for the ceremony.

Firefighters signed their names to a beam that would be set in place in the top story of the structure, according to officials. These markings will forever be a part of the permanent structure.

Completion is scheduled for the spring of 2022, according to reports.