Increased staffing and renovations to a nearly 50-year-old fire station will allow Benton Fire District 4 to reopen the facility to improve response times and wildfire preparedness. 

The fire district closed Station 410 at the intersection of Grosscup Boulevard, 62nd Avenue and Harrington Road in West Richland in 2020 after opening Station 430 at the intersection of Van Giesen and Keene roads, according to a release. 

The reopening will improve response to high-call areas like Harrington Road and provide needed backup during busy periods, reducing reliance on neighboring departments. 

“Everyone sees the value in reopening this station,” said Deputy Chief Dan Drayton, in a statement. “It gives us more flexibility when staff are out, and more importantly, it gets help to our residents faster when they need it most.” 

The fire district has added three new firefighters each year since the station closed, providing the staff needed. Renovations to the station, the district’s oldest, include updated living and working spaces, water fill station and new insulation to protect the interior from the dust of nearby agricultural fields. 

When staffed, Station 410 will be equipped to deploy a fire engine, ambulance, water tender, or wildland engine, enhancing year-round service districtwide.