Cincinnati dedicated its first new firehouse in more than 25 years, which replaced a building dating back to 1929. The new fire station, located at 4379 Reading Road, is also the first city government facility built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards as designated by the U.S. Green Building Council. Fire Station No. 9 is designed from a whole-building approach, which features sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, recycled materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

"Fire Station No. 9 is the city's first environmentally friendly Green Building. That means its more energy efficient and has lower operating costs,” Mayor Mark Mallory said. Cole Russell Architects, the chief architect, worked closely with the firefighters from Fire Station #9, the community, and city administration in the design of the environmentally-friendly facility.

The new station, which is three times larger than the previous station, is a two-story structure covering 15,555 square feet. It houses Engine 9, Squad 9 and Ambulance 9. The station is equipped with a firefighter training area.

"With this new firehouse, the Cincinnati Fire Department will continue to improve firefighter readiness and be better able to serve the community," said Fire Chief Robert Wright.

Squad 9 respondes to all one-alarm fires, motor vehicle accidents involving entrapments and elevator emergencies within its primary running district. It also responds to extra-alarm fires anywhere within the city limits and has shared responsibility with Squad 14 for hazardous materials responses citywide and mitigation of technical rescue incidents. "The location of new fire station is great in that it is closer to local interstates, thereby enabling quicker access to various parts of the city," Wright said.

Station No. 9 was dedicated in honor of fallen firefighter, Oscar “Ozzie” Armstrong, who died in the line of duty in a residential fire in March 2003. Armstrong was a member of Engine 9 at the time.