The new two-story, 5,562-square-foot station includes an apparatus bay, crew and captain offices, kitchen, dining and living area, exercise room and four private dormitories. Funding from Measure T<\/a>, a $650 million bond approved by voters in 2018 to fund disaster preparedness, public safety and infrastructure, helped pay for the new station.<\/p>\n Resident Pete Anderson said having the fire station near his home provides better access to services and makes him feel safer.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a big investment,\u201d he told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cNice to see it be completed and ready for anything.\u201d<\/p>\n Twelve firefighters are assigned to Fire Station 8, divided into three shifts. Four firefighters are on duty 24 hours a day.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Brett Maas, battalion chief with the San Jose Fire Department<\/a>, said the station is a home away from home for the city\u2019s firefighters. The old station was like a crowded small apartment, Maas said, but now there\u2019s space to move. The new station has a separate space to decontaminate gear after responding to fires, which he said will keep firefighters healthier.<\/p>\n \u201cHaving a nice, comfortable, modern facility is going to give them that rest they need, so they\u2019re recovered and ready for the next call,\u201d Maas said.<\/p>\n Fire Station 8 responded to 4,054 calls last year, Mayor Matt Mahan said at the opening \u2014 more than 11 service calls every day.<\/p>\n The downtown station plays a critical role in protecting residents, with firefighters battling a blaze<\/a> earlier this week that destroyed a business in the SoFa District. District 3 Councilmember Anthony Tordillos, who represents where the station is located, said SJFD\u2019s quick response allowed firefighters to contain the blaze and prevent it from damaging other neighboring buildings.<\/p>\n Tordillos said the new station will assist with the city\u2019s efforts to recruit and retain public safety workers<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe old station had not really been seriously upgraded for 77 years,\u201d Tordillos told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cIt\u2019s so great to have a new, modern facility that\u2019s going to better serve our firefighters and also better serve our community.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/PXL_20260827_192135026-scaled-e1787869937463-1024x841.jpg\")
SJFD Battalion Chief Brett Maas said having a new facility allows firefighters to quickly gather the resources they need when responding to an emergency. Photo by Lorraine Gabbert.<\/p>\n
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