EAST MILLCREEK — The Unified Fire Authority's current East Millcreek Fire Station doesn't have a lot of room.

In fact, the 2,500-square-foot structure, built about 50 years ago, doesn't have the capacity to hold any of the new modern firetrucks, especially vehicles with specialized equipment.

That's just one of several reasons why firefighters and Salt Lake County officials Monday were excited to see ground broken on their new East Millcreek station.

The new $5 million station will be 12,500 square feet, or five times the size of the current building.

"We're replacing a structure that has been well-used for many years," said Michael Jensen, UFA deputy chief.

The new fire station will allow for a better response time in the East Millcreek area and increase overall public safety in the area, he said.

A ground breaking ceremony was held Monday on the dirt lot where the new station will be built, near 1900 East and 3300 South. Actual construction, however, is already well under way.

Several speakers had to talk above the noise of power tools being used in the background.

Dignitaries sat in front of a red fire engine that some made reference to, calling it a "beautiful new puppy looking for a home."

UFA Chief Don Berry said the new fire station held a soft spot in his heart because when he first was hired, he was assigned to the old East Millcreek station 34 years ago.

The new fire station was the result of a partnership between the UFA board and Salt Lake County. The old Millcreek station will make way for a community center and library.

The new station is scheduled to open in December.

The East Millcreek station is the first of five new stations the UFA plans to build over the next five years as part of its long-term regional fire-protection plan.

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