Stillwater opens new Fire Station No. 2 to serve campus and community
Monday, August 25, 2025
Media Contact: Page Mindedahl | Communications Specialist | 405-744-9782 | page.mindedahl@okstate.edu
The City of Stillwater has officially opened its new Fire Station No. 2 on Western Road, a modern facility designed to improve safety and response times for both Oklahoma State University and the broader community.
The station replaces an aging structure that had been used since the 1930s. That building, owned by OSU and leased by the city for just $1 a year, had become too outdated to renovate effectively.
“The condition of the existing fire station was poor,” said Casey Shell, facilities management administrator. “It was an OSU building that the city rented and used. They used it as long as they basically could, and decided it was time to look for a new facility.”
The new location near OSU’s Western Fields was selected for its accessibility. The land is owned by the university and leased to the city for the fire station. Shell said keeping the station close to campus was important because the original facility had long served as the department’s primary response point for the university.
The upgraded building introduces features the old facility lacked, including a dispatch center, modern kitchen, private sleeping quarters and a drive-through bay that eliminates the need to back in fire engines. Expanded space also allows firefighters to better maintain their equipment.
Beyond improving living and working conditions for crews, the location on Western Road offers faster access to key areas of Stillwater. Shell said the move will ultimately enhance service across the city, particularly during busy campus events when the old station’s location on the corner of University Avenue and Knoblock Street made exiting difficult.
He added that the community played a direct role in making the new station possible. Voters approved a bond issue to fund the project, signaling strong public support.
“That shows their recognition that they needed a new station and wanted a state-of-the-art facility,” Shell said. “They wanted to provide firefighters with what they need to deliver top-notch response.”
The city and OSU celebrated the station’s opening with a dedication ceremony in late July.
