Angelus Oaks, CA, November 17, 2013 – After a year of construction, the mountain community has a revamped fire station. San Bernardino County Fire Station 98 in Angelus Oaks serves the communities of Angelus Oaks, Barton Flats, and Seven Oaks, along with State Highway 38 from Valley of the Falls Drive to Onyx Summit. On average, Station 98 firefighters respond to 175 calls a year, the majority of them medical calls and traffic collisions. They also assist the Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Forest Service with search and rescues.
The $2.2 million construction project started in October of 2012. The station includes an apparatus bay, a community/training room; living quarters, and a 1,200 square foot mezzanine area that can be used for storage and other future needs. Station 98 houses a fire engine, a brush engine, a brush patrol, a snow cat and a skid steer.
At a grand opening attended by approximately 100 people, County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig called it “a great day for the community of Angelus Oaks,” adding, “This tight knit community first gained fire service in the early 1970s when the town’s people felt the need and build an apparatus bay. This is their house and I am proud to serve as their Fire Chief.”
County Fire previously served the Angelus Oaks area out of an aged and substandard fire station that was constructed over 40 years ago as a storage facility for fire apparatus. An office and training room was added to the station 25 years ago. That building has since been demolished to make way for this functional station.
“When the Board of Supervisors is able to support the building of much needed fire stations, it shows that the economy in our County is rebounding,” stated 3rd District County Supervisor James Ramos. The project was paid for with County general funds.
