Station 1

The current Station 1, located at 10544 Main Street in Roscoe, was strategically placed near the center of the fire district to provide the most efficient response to emergencies throughout the community. In addition to housing frontline emergency apparatus, the station also serves as the administrative headquarters for the Roscoe Fire Protection District.

Firefighters officially took possession of the new station in March 1994, and an Open House was held the following month to welcome the community into its new fire station.

The road to the new headquarters began several years earlier. Trustee Glen Gabel explained that the district had first considered purchasing the property in 1990, but the asking price was too high. Instead, the district shifted its focus to opening Station Three on the north end of the district in 1991. When the property's price eventually became affordable, the district moved forward with the purchase and remodeling project. Construction included a 60-foot by 80-foot addition to the rear of the existing building. Trustee Jim Hall noted that the district was able to finance the project without asking taxpayers for additional funding.

The approximately $900,000 facility was designed to accommodate the district's rapid growth. It featured six oversized apparatus bays, including drive-through maintenance facilities, a cascade room, dispatch center, kitchen, training room capable of seating fifty people, laundry room, four restrooms, shower facilities, and a firefighter lounge. Administrative offices were also expanded to better serve the growing department.

A significant feature of the station was its emergency backup power system. An auxiliary generator, capable of producing approximately 15,000 kilowatts, could operate on either propane or natural gas and provide up to fourteen hours of electrical power during a disaster. The apparatus bays were also equipped with overhead ventilation fans capable of completely exchanging the air inside the station in just five minutes, greatly improving air quality after emergency responses.

As the district continued to grow, additional expansion became necessary. In 2005, a west-side addition added two maintenance bays, a maintenance office, a larger firefighter lounge, and new sleeping quarters created from the former lounge area.

By 2012, Station 1 had once again reached its capacity. Under the direction of the Board of Trustees and the Fire Chief, a comprehensive facilities use and feasibility study was conducted. Rather than constructing a new headquarters, the district chose to remain at its existing location and undertake a major renovation and expansion.

Construction began in 2013 as part of a $4.1 million project that added approximately 5,000 square feet through new north and south additions. The expansion included new bunk rooms, an enlarged dispatch center, a trustee conference room, Battalion Chiefs' offices, and expanded offices for the Fire Prevention Bureau.

The existing portions of the station were completely renovated to create updated administrative offices, a chaplain's office, training room, gear room, kitchen, firefighter living area, laundry room, public restrooms, and firefighter shower facilities. A new generator capable of powering the entire station was installed, allowing the headquarters to function as an emergency operations center during extended disasters. The apparatus floor received a durable epoxy coating to improve safety by reducing slips and falls, while all mechanical systems were modernized. The building's exterior was also redesigned to give it the appearance of a traditional fire station while maintaining its functional layout.

Through careful financial planning and responsible stewardship, the entire renovation was completed without requiring additional taxpayer funding.

During the eight-month construction project, maintaining uninterrupted emergency service was a top priority. Administrative staff, firefighters, and paramedics temporarily relocated their daily operations. Station 1 crews responded from the building commonly known as the "Frat House" across the street, while dispatch personnel remained inside the station throughout construction. Temporary facilities—including microwaves and portable restrooms—became part of everyday life. The Fire Chief and administrative staff divided their operations between Stations Two and Three, requiring significant adjustments throughout the department. Despite the challenges, personnel continued to provide seamless emergency response without interruption.

The move back into the renovated headquarters began on January 31, 2014, and the community celebrated the completion of the project during an Open House and Dedication held on June 3, 2014.

Today, Station 1 remains the headquarters of the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District and houses many of the department's frontline emergency resources, including two Advanced Life Support ambulances, two engines, a 3,000-gallon tanker, a heavy rescue squad, a grass rig, two rescue boats, two support minivans, and a 100-foot aerial platform truck. As the district's busiest station, it continues to serve as the operational and administrative hub of the department while supporting the growing needs of the community.