Just after 10am on Saturday, February 4, the tanker was backed into bay number two of the new station to the delight of the many volunteer brigade members who were busy moving equipment in.

“It’s beyond our wildest dreams and we are very privileged to be in such a position,” captain Steve Price said.

“Words can’t adequately express the excitement and anticipation we feel as we move into this world-class facility.”

The brigade was first promised a new station on RailCorp land by then-Blue Mountains MP Bob Debus in 2000, but negotiations between Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) and RailCorp over the land’s lease were still ongoing 10 years later.

Matters came to a head in November 2010 when brigade president Bert Clarke labelled the process a “joke” and vowed to boycott meetings on the issue, followed by firefighters staging a highway-side protest calling for action.

The following month Blue Mountains Mayor Daniel Myles moved the council-owned site on the highway be handed over to the Valley Heights Rural Fire Service (RFS), provided two state government-owned lots at Lawson be given to the council for construction of that brigade’s new station.

Plans for Valley Heights’ new station had already been drawn up based on standard RFS designs, with modifications made based on the brigade’s size, activities, responsibilities and classification.

The spacious new building features three large bays plus additional rooms and storage, as well as a wide, easily accessible driveway — a far cry from cramped conditions at the old station that featured a door so narrow members had difficulty backing the tanker in.

“With a facility such as this, our task will be a much easier one,” Steve said.

“Just as the Blue Mountains community has supported us throughout the history of our brigade, we will continue to do our utmost to support the Blue Mountains and wider community to the very best of our ability, especially in times of need.”

An official opening ceremony is due to be held at the station on March 31, and volunteers also intend holding an open day in the near future for members of the public to inspect the new facility.