The fire station bay had an exhibit of antique Lee fire trucks, giving an indication of how much space needs have changed for modern equipment.

LENOX, Mass. — The Lenox Fire and Police Departments celebrated the completion of their new public safety complex with the ribbon cutting and open house on Saturday.

Town Manager Jay Green thanked the residents of Lenox for their support for the $20 million structure.

The complex has been years in the making: it was unanimously approved by town voters in December 2022, but the discussion of a new complex had been in talks for years before that.

"For years we recognized the need for a modern facility that would support the vital work of our police, fire and emergency services," said Select Board Chair Neal Maxymillian, adding the first meeting between the town officials, including former Town Manager Christopher Ketchen, and emergency departments was in 2015.

"This new complex fulfills a promise to provide our dedicated professionals with the resources and technology and a safe environment, a relaxing environment to perform their jobs safely and effectively, to the men and women of the Fire, Police and EMS services, welcome to your new home away from home."

The complex at 227 Housatonic St. will house the Fire Department and its ambulance service and Police Department, providing a significant upgrade from their old headquarters. Police had been housed in the basement of Town Hall and the 110-year-old central fire station next to it.

The 22,000-square-foot building has many spacious rooms for the members of both departments to work effectively.

"Lenox created a complex that's different, one that truly fits the work of first responders in a complex such as this one, first responders are provided with the fiscal structure that best supports the work they do with police, fire, emergency services now operating side by side, this facility, facility will strengthen the work of Lennox first responses to allow them to respond more quickly, coordinate more effectively, and ultimately, better serve the people of Lenox," said District Attorney Timothy Shugrue.

The station was built with the future in mind to be able to serve and protect for decades to come. Newly appointed Lenox Police Chief Mark Smith who will be taking over after current Chief Stephen O'Brien retires in December, is proud to be a part of this new building.

"I see many times when people build facilities like this, they don't build for the future, and that's what's going to keep this building going for a very, very long time. That's what's going to keep attracting people to come to work in the fire service, the police services, because they did it right," the incoming chief said. "And I'm very proud. I mean, it's an honor and proud beyond words, to be able to say that this is where I come to work every day, and I'm very proud of the fact that everybody in the public service has that building to be proud of.

"And this is truly where Lenox stepped up and proves to me, the outsider, the new person in town, that the support is overwhelming."

Other speakers thanked the town and spoke about some of the history of the department, including retired Fire Chief Chris O'Brien and new Fire Chief Robert Casucci, state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Leigh Davis.

The police wing consists of an interview room, roll call room, armory, evidence lab, booking area, and a sally port/garage, which is a secure way for the department to transfer individuals into custody with a two-gate system for vehicles to enter and prevent escapes.

The fire wing consists of a fitness room, a day room, multiple sleeping quarters, watch room, a decontamination area, fire truck bays and more.

Residents were able to tour the facility and get a behind-the-scenes look at the complex before the departments move in, when most rooms will be restricted to the public. Visitors were also able to view some of what the departments do as well as take a look at some of the old fire trucks from the early 1900s.