New Banks Fire Station Secured By Generous Land Donation

BANKS, OR — To better respond to calls for service from the area northwest of Banks, the Banks Fire Board of Directors on Wednesday signed a land contract that gives the fire district a place to build a new fire station.

The new Buxton station, which will reportedly be called Hornshuh Creek Station #14, will service residents in Buxton and from the rural area around Highway 26 and Highway 47.

The current Buxton Station — a small, concrete block building — can reportedly only house one fire engine. To house staff and more equipment, the district needed a larger fire station in the area. Unfortunately, Banks officials said, available property for such an endeavor was limited.

It was reportedly during these discussions that Capt. Mark Hornshuh, a longtime volunteer firefighter and paramedic with the Banks Fire District, chose to donate his family's land for the new station in honor of his parents.

Mark's parents, Carol and Fred Hornshuh, had reportedly wanted to donate land for a new station years ago but were unable to.

“Banks Fire appreciates all the Hornshuh family has done and continues to do for our community," said Fire Chief Rodney Linz. "It is a wonderful donation and we are excited to name the station Hornshuh Creek Station to honor such a great family heritage."

The district now seeks proposals for construction with the intent for the station to be complete in the next one to two years.

"With the station being located on Highway 26, firefighters will have faster access to the outlying areas as well as the ability to rapidly serve the needs of Buxton residents," fire district officials said in a statement. "Banks Fire looks forward to utilizing this donation to provide even better service delivery while remaining a part of the Buxton community."

Image via Banks Fire District #13