On a day when a Red Flag Warning was in effect, all of the Los Angeles County Fire’s brass gathered in one engine bay – but it wasn’t to respond to an emergency, it was to celebrate the opening of Fire Station 156 on Copper Hill Road.

Assistant Chief Bill Niccum, who emceed the event, acknowledged that most of the guests were on high alert.

“There isn’t a fire captain out there that isn’t sitting on the edge of their seats, knowing that catastrophe could happen with the next ember,” he said.

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Blustering winds put aside for a moment, Niccum and the various dignitaries talked about the importance of having a station in the developing neighborhood of Tesoro del Valle and how the station would be the first to provide housing for dozer crews, saving time and travel when they are called for during wildfires.

The dedication featured a performance of the song “America the Beautiful” sung by students from West Ranch Academy Elementary School and an invocation from Firefighter Rich Hall.

Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Michael Antonovich was on hand to thank the firefighters for excellent work done in the past and talk about the importance of the expanding fire network in the Santa Clarita Valley. He also touched on the building’s green construction, which earned a Silver Award from the US Green Building Council.

The 3,000 square-foot station has room for 10 firefighting personnel as well as three dozer crew members. The two-bay apparatus floor – where the ceremonies were held – also includes a training room, day room, kitchen and dormitory.

Funding for the new fire station came through developer fees and cost $8.6 million in construction.

New fire stations under construction and expected to open in 2012 include 128 on Whites Canyon Road and 132 on Sand Canyon Road, both in Canyon Country.