By Tove Tupper
 
November 23, 2009
 
WHITE CITY, Ore. - A Rogue Valley fire station is getting a facelift.
 
Jackson County Fire District No. 3's White City station is getting remodeled. The station is updating it's facility is to accommodate both male and female firefighters. It was built in the 1970s.
 
Firefighters work 24 hour shifts.
 
"We basically work 8 to 5 like everybody else, after five o'clock we're free," Jackson County Fire District #3 Engineer Jason Allen said.
 
However, crews must stay at the station in case they are called to an emergency.
 
"This is a home away from home. Everything we have at your house, laundry facilities, kitchen, living room, bathroom, bedrooms," Allen said.
 
Firefighters used to sleep in one large room with beds that pulled out from the walls. it didn't accommodate co-ed living. Now firefighters will have individual bedrooms.
 
The new plan includes putting in a female bathroom upstairs near all the bedrooms. The station's workout facility will move to a space with better air flow. The kitchen will get renovated.
 
The district started saving money for the project four years ago. Its budget for the project is $1.6 million. Work started about a week-and-a-half ago. It's expected to be done in six months.