City Breaks Ground on New Fire Station 15 in Northeast Medford

Medford, Oregon- City officials, community leaders, and members of the Medford Fire Department gathered on Thursday, April 10, to mark the official groundbreaking of the new Fire Station 15. The event signals the start of construction on a long-anticipated project designed to enhance Medford’s emergency response capabilities.

The new facility will replace the city’s oldest and most outdated fire station, which has served the community for over five decades. The upgraded station will provide fire crews with a modern and functional workspace aimed at improving training, health, safety, and emergency service delivery in the surrounding area.

“Today is about more than bricks and mortar—it is the beginning of a new chapter for Fire Station 15,” said Fire Chief Eric Thompson during the ceremony. “We honor the past, celebrate the present, and anticipate a brilliant future. Our collective vision for a safe, vibrant community comes to life through commitments like this one.”

City Council Vice President Jessica Ayres, who represents the ward where the new facility will be located, also addressed the crowd.

“As one of two Council representatives for this ward, I’m incredibly proud to be here today to celebrate the start of construction on the new Fire Station 15,” Ayres said. “This station has served our community for over 50 years—but it’s time for an upgrade. From limited space to outdated infrastructure, the current building no longer supports the critical work our fire crews do every day.”

She added, “The new Fire Station 15 is an investment in our public safety, in our neighborhoods, and in the people who keep us safe. It will give our firefighters the modern, safe space they deserve to respond, train, and serve. I’m proud to support this project—and proud of the teamwork that brought it to this point. Thank you to everyone involved in making this possible.”

Funding for the new facility is being provided through a combination of city resources and ongoing revenue sources. The project is supported by $4 million from the city’s reserves, a $0.50 increase to the Public Safety portion of the city’s utility fee, and approximately $300,000 annually from local marijuana tax revenues.

Construction is expected to continue through the coming year, with city officials emphasizing the importance of continued investment in public safety infrastructure.