Buffalo Grove Fire Station 25: A Modern Commitment to Safety

This is not the fire station from previous generations. Buffalo Grove’s Fire Station 25 at 505 W. Dundee Road celebrated its grand opening on September 16, showcasing the village’s dedication to firefighter health and safety. This commitment is expected to benefit residents as well.

Deputy Fire Chief Shawn Collins revealed new equipment during the station tour on September 16, 2026, attracting Buffalo Grove leaders, village staff, and residents to explore the state-of-the-art facility. Designed by FGM Architects and constructed by Frederick Quinn Corp., the project was completed slightly below its budget of $10.1 million. It replaces a station that had served for fifty years and was deemed outdated.

Project Manager Adam Slotkus noted, “It was limping along. It had multiple repairs throughout the years. At some point, 50 years catches up with you.” Village President Eric Smith stressed the importance of the new station in enhancing the workspace, tools, and resources firefighters need for optimal performance. “Today is about much more than a building,” Smith stated. “It’s about our shared commitment to public safety, preparedness, and the people who answer the call when we or our neighbors need help the most.”

Fire Chief Larry Kane and Deputy Chief Shawn Collins highlighted several upgrades, including high-speed overhead doors to boost response time and cut energy costs by keeping out the cold during winter. The building is environmentally friendly, featuring red and green LED lights at the doors to indicate their open or closed status. Electricity savings are achieved by lighting controlled through occupancy sensors.

Enhanced health measures are evident in the new station, with hoses attached to fire truck tailpipes to divert exhaust fumes outside, addressing cancer concerns among firefighters. Individual bunk rooms offer climate control and programmable alerts, minimizing sleep disturbances. Collins explained the significance: “Studies show that for firefighters, repeated interruptions cause stress on your heart, cause cardiovascular issues, but sleep disruption can also have an effect on cancer. Sleep is incredibly important because our firefighters can be up three, four, five times a night.”

The new station features expanded bay capacity and a rescue squad vehicle designed for paramedic and technical rescue responses. This vehicle is smaller, faster, and lighter, reflecting modern rescue needs.

A significant feature of the new facility is a workout room three times larger than the previous one, emphasizing physical fitness. Collins shared, “We want our firefighters to be physically fit. We joke, the best thing that an old firefighter can tell a new firefighter is how to become an old firefighter. And so, I tell the firefighters to stay in shape. It’s a lot harder to get back in shape than to stay in shape.”