A newly opened fire station will allow the Fresno Fire Department to improve fire protection and emergency response times while keeping pace with northwest growth, city leaders say.

“It’s taken some time to get the station completed,” said Fresno Fire Chief Kerri Donis at the station’s unveiling on Wednesday morning. “We are excited about its new strategic location, and the Fire Department’s ability to better serve the community.”

Fire Station No. 18 is at 6605 W. Shaw Ave. between North Veterans Boulevard and North Bryan Avenue.

The station replaces a residential home/converted fire station that crews have been operating out of since 2006.