CMAFS Gound Breaking

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN AIR FORCE STATION, Colo. – Col. Doug Schiess, 21st Space Wing commander, addresses the Cheyenne Mountain Air Force State Fire Department Fire Station 2 April 28. The commander’s presentation highlights the station’s new renovation project in order to maintain mission and community support capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Dennis Hoffman)

CMAFS Gound Breaking

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN AIR FORCE STATION, Colo. – Col. Doug Schiess, 21st Space Wing commander (center), Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station leadership and an Air Force Wildland Fire Center representative break ground at CMAFS Fire Department Fire Station 2 April 28. The $1.8 million renovation will ensure the steadfastness of equipment and personnel to meet the ever-growing mission needs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Dennis Hoffman)

Cheyenne Mountain AFS Fire station to be renovated

Published May 4, 2016
By Staff Sgt. Tiffany DeNault
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN AIR FORCE STATION, Colo. -- Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station Fire Department Fire Station 2 officially began a new renovation project during a ground-breaking ceremony April 28.

"This is truly an exciting day for the members of our fire department and base as a whole," said David Arcilla, 721st Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department deputy fire chief.

The Cheyenne Mountain Fire and Emergency Services department already gained additional personnel along with upgrades to its vehicle fleet.

The need for renovation came from an Air Force Space Utilization Study concluded in 2011 indicating essential upgrades to the facility are needed to maintain mission and community support capabilities.

CMFES provides support to Cheyenne Mountain AFS, in addition to the surrounding community - including the Broadmoor Bluffs area, Colorado Springs and Fort Carson. It also provides mutual aid to the Colorado Springs Fire Department.

"The fire station and mission has grown and we are doing a lot of community support, averaging one to three calls a day out of this fire station," said Col. Gary Cornn, 721st Mission Support Group commander. "Recently we have done a lot of work and been there for Fort Carson, putting out and mitigating fires, and doing our own fire mitigation here on Cheyenne Mountain."

The $1.8 million renovation will ensure the steadfastness of equipment and personnel required to meet ever-growing mission needs.

"This project ensures the readiness for future missions you will protect," said Col. Doug Schiess, 21st Space Wing commander. "This new fire station will provide you, the firefighters, CMAFS, and our local community with the tools you need to accomplish the important missions that we have here and continue to do great work along the Front Range."

The project is expected to take be complete in April 2017.