Pictured here, a new temporary fire station was constructed at the Fort McNair portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall last week, adding new fire response capabilities to that portion of the joint base. The interim station will house two fire truck...

A new temporary fire station has been installed on the Fort McNair portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, giving the JBM-HH fire department capabilities on McNair until a permanent fire station can be constructed.

Construction of the interim fire station began on Sept. 14 and was completed by Sept. 17, ahead of schedule, said JBM-HH Fire Chief Russell Miller.

The station is a large tent structure located on the basketball court between 4th and 5th Avenues, next to historic quarters 28 and a parking lot. At 36 feet wide, 40 feet long and 23 feet high, the station is designed to house two fire trucks -- a pumper and P19 crash truck.

Miller said the temporary station will stay in place for five years, until a planned permanent fire station is built on McNair in 2021.

Although there is not yet a set date for the temporary Fort McNair station to become operational, Miller said the trucks that are eventually housed there will provide services to Fort McNair, and to locations across the river if necessary.

"Right now the primary response area is Fort McNair and then we can assist on this side of the Potomac, whether it be Fort Myer or the Pentagon," he said. "Once we stand up services we'll certainly look at offering mutual aid to the Navy Yard and in return expect that from them as well."

The primary structure has been constructed but there is still work to be done on the station. Electricity is expected to be installed by the end of October, Miller said. The station will be manned by four firefighters and a battalion chief.

In related news, the JBM-HH Fire Department is hosting an open house Oct. 10 in support of this year's National Fire Prevention Week. For details, see page 3 of the Oct. 1 issue of the Pentagram.