After years of planning and building, plus some unfortunate delays, the Wheeling Fire Department this past week was finally able to cut ribbon — or, in this case, “uncouple the hose” — at its new headquarters.

This multimillion-dollar facility serves multiple purposes. It gives the Wheeling Fire Department, a group of brave and dedicated men and women devoted to keeping us safe, a headquarters it has earned. It also adds a bright new feature to the East Wheeling neighborhood, enhancing its image.

Through much of its construction, Wheeling’s firefighters had to make sacrifices. They were spread to stations around the city in the time between the old headquarters’ closure and the opening of the new building. Issues with the former contractor on the project led to even longer delays.

“The men and women of the Wheeling Fire Department have displayed true professionalism, adjusting and overcoming obstacles, just like they do every day for the citizens and visitors of our city,” Blazier said.

And now they have a headquarters that will help the department march toward the future and allow firefighters to keep us safe for years to come.