Rock Creek fire substation anticipated to open in early 2026

The city of Rock Creek is anticipating a fire substation opening early in 2026.

In June, the Rush City Council approved a resolution signaling intent to enter a joint powers agreement with Rock Creek to establish a fire substation in the city.

Rock Creek began contracting with the Rush City Fire Department for fire protection services in January of 2024.

The city also started construction on a new public works building in 2024, with work wrapping up in 2025.

During that process, Rock Creek and Rush City engaged in conversations about retrofitting the old public works facility as a fire substation.

Rock Creek city council member Dan Saumer said Rock Creek is in the process of moving into the city's new public works building, and starting work on setting up the fire department substation at the previous facility.

"The biggest concern that we have is coming up with enough water supply or storage to have in case of a fire," he said.

Saumer said the plan is to install a couple of large tanks in the back of the facility, to try to get about 10,000 gallons of water stored there.

"My guess would be that we'd have enough for three to five tankers or tenders loaded up before we started getting into a little trouble with water supply," Saumer said.

Saumer also said Rock Creek installed a new dry hydrant.

Originally, Rock Creek hoped to have the substation ready by the first of the year, but Saumer said "before spring gets here" would be a more accurate timeline.

"I'm thinking two to three months, maybe, we should be ready to open it up as a fire substation," Saumer said.

Saumer explained that the substation will have a fire engine, a tender, and a grass truck.

"It won't be a full-sized, complete blown-out fire station," Saumer said. "It'll just have the basic starting of equipment, but it will put equipment closer to the residents within three, four, five miles. So I think for a little bit of peace of mind and having fire assets that close, that will improve things."

Saumer also pointed out that the substation moves fire assets north, which will assist with mutual aid calls.

A joint powers agreement is in the works between Rock Creek and Rush City; Saumer said Rock Creek is expected to be responsible for the facility and maintenance of the facility.

Rush City would be responsible for the equipment in the substation, including the fire trucks.

"I believe it will take us a year to get everything all shaken out and figured out, but I believe it's going to be an improvement for our residents and down the road," Saumer said.