By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Office of Public Affairs
FORT HALL — After years of planning and nearly two years of construction, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes is excited to invite the community to celebrate the grand opening of the new Fort Hall Fire Station on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 1 p.m. This event marks a significant investment in public safety and emergency services for the Fort Hall Reservation.
The new station, located at 70 Widowville Road, is across from the previous fire station, and represents a major milestone for the Fort Hall Fire Department (FHFD) and the community it serves. At 25,699 square feet, the modern, state-of-the-art facility was designed to support the department’s continued growth while enhancing emergency response capabilities for years to come.
The event will be emceed by Planning Director Alonzo Coby and will begin with an invocation, followed by the FHFD color guard and flag raising, the Flag Song and Honor Songs, and introductions of special guests and speakers.
Rather than a traditional ribbon-cutting, the celebration will feature two fire service traditions, the Fire Hose Disconnect Ceremony, symbolizing the transition from the former station to the new facility, and a Push-In Truck Ceremony, honoring the long-standing tradition of placing a fire engine into its new home. The celebration will conclude with an open house where community members can tour the facility and meet members of the FHFD.
The new station replaces a facility that no longer meets the department’s operational needs. As the department expanded, personnel and equipment were spread across multiple buildings with limited space for fire engines and daily operations. The new station brings everything together under one roof, providing six apparatus bays, expanded workspace, modern accommodations and improved efficiency for the department’s 18-line personnel and four administrative staff members.
Designed with the future in mind, the facility includes a state-of-the-art training room, energy-efficient building systems and low-maintenance features that will support daily operations while reducing long-term operating costs.
Construction began following a groundbreaking ceremony in September 2024. The $13 million project was made possible through a combination of federal and tribal funding, including $7 million secured through the efforts of Congressman Mike Simpson. The project was designed by JHS Architects and constructed by CM Company.
Fort Hall Business Council Chairwoman Donna Thompson said, “The new fire station reflects the Tribes’ continued commitment to protecting the health, safety and well-being of the community while investing in essential public safety infrastructure for future generations.”
FHFD Fire Chief Eric King said, “The new station provides firefighters with the space, equipment and resources needed to better serve the community, train effectively and respond quickly whenever emergencies arise.”
Community members are encouraged to attend the grand opening, tour the facility, and join in celebrating this important milestone for the Fort Hall Fire Department and all those it serves.