The fire station's original building, located at the corner of Golden Gate Parkway and Coronado Boulevard, was built in 1971 as a fire hall by the Golden Gate Fire Association, the community's first civic association. Residents wanted the building to serve as a community meeting hall and a headquarters for ambulances. Avatar, the county's former water service provider, donated property for the building with the condition it be used as a fire station. Bill Houser, an association member who shared the vision for an independent fire district, loaned money toward construction.
Two years later, residents began the push for a Golden Gate fire department. Until then, East Naples Fire District was the sole provider of fire services. In November, 1973, Golden Gate residents voted to create the fire department as a special tax district run by Collier County. The County Commission created a committee to organize the fire department. Inaugural members were Bill Houser, Ben Driver, Raymond Emery and Gregory Miller. David Reeves of the Florida Division of Forestry served as a consultant to the committee. In 1974, he became the first chief of Golden Gate Fire Department.
Golden Gate's first ambulance
The Golden Gate Fire Control and Rescue District has a rich history that began more than 30 years ago with a steel building and a desire among residents to have their own fire department that was not controlled by county officials.
Initially, the department was a volunteer organization, and the fire chief was the only paid employee.
The Golden Gate Fire Association held fundraisers to purchase equipment and repay Houser. More money was needed because the department's budget was only $30,000. The department's first paid firefighters were eventually hired with federal assistance. Fire and ambulance service was provided by the department.
By 1982, residents wanted to control their fire department's destiny and voted to split from Collier County control. The Golden Gate Fire Control and Rescue District was born in January, 1983. The Fire Association subsequently disbanded and transferred fire department deeds and property to district control.
The district needed commissioners. Neno Spagna, Gregory Miller and Kevin Fitzpatrick were voted in as members of the Fire Commission. Major station renovations began that year with the addition of a day room, fire chief's office and secretary's office. Nine people worked as paid employees -- the chief, an assistant chief, six firefighters and a part-time secretary. Volunteer firefighters also established the Golden Gate Firefighters' Association.
Four years later, the district saw its first major change in leadership. Reeves, who helped create and lead local fire service, retired. Norman Hatcher, then of Dale City, Va., was hired as new fire chief. He held the position until 1990, when he resigned to return to Virginia.
In August, 1990, Donald R. Peterson was promoted to fire chief where he continues to serve the community.
The district opened its second fire station, Station 71, in Golden Gate Estates in 1988 to cope with the growth around the county. The station was renovated in 2002. The original station was built with $20,000 in donations from the community and through a land trust agreement.
Station 70 is shared with Collier County EMS. The original station was torn down, and a jointly run building was constructed in 1991. Golden Gate fire district officials can opt to buy the building from the county in 2021 under the terms of the lease.
Station 72, the district's third fire station, was completed in February, 2004. Located on Beck Boulevard, the station covers the south side of the fire district. A state-of-the-art 85-foot ladder truck, Tower 72, is based at the station with Rescue 72, which is the primary apparatus that runs calls on the stretch of I-75 known as Alligator Alley.
Station 73 was finished in 2007 and became the fire district's headquarters. The station, located at 14575 Collier Blvd., is the nerve center for all fire district activity, including fire commission meetings. It will serve as the district's flaship station as the area grows.
