Whitfield dedicated their new fire station on Townhouse Road on Oct. 15 to long-time firefighter David Dixon.
Dozens of residents turned out for the ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony, which included ample time for residents to tour their new central station. During the ceremony, Selectman Frank Ober told the crowd about the history of firefighting in Whitefield, Fire Chief Tim Pellerin thanked all involved in construction of the building, and Deputy Fire Chief Scott Higgins read a letter from Dixon’s son.
Dixon was a member of the Coopers Mills Volunteer Fire Department for more than 30 years. He was also an integral part of the planning process for the property on which the new station sits. Dixon died last year.
“It’s a terrific honor for him,” said Dixon’s wife Gwyn Dixon. “He would have wanted the community to come together like this.”
Gwyn Dixon cut the ceremonial ribbon opening the station.
Dixon’s son, Justin Dixon, lives in Montana, but in a letter he expressed his gratitude for the dedication. “[Dixon] would have been proud to see all of you here,” his son wrote. “He taught me commitment, trust, volunteering, hard work and team work, and that we can all give a little bit of ourselves like he always did.”
In his address, Ober said the new station is a big step in helping protect the town. He spoke about the old rivalries between the town’s three former fire departments, and the union of the three under the Whitefield Fire Department.
“This new building will support all the firefighters’ in their mission to serve the people of Whitefield,” Ober said.
