A new $1.19 million four-story tower at the Service Road fire station in Ceres for training firefighters throughout Stanislaus County was dedicated recently. The ceremony included a surprise for retiring Modesto Fire Chief Kevin Wise when it was announced that the center will be named in his honor.
The tower is situated on Ceres city property – formerly the Ceres Fire Station – but is owned and operated by a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) with all its members contributing toward its cost. A host of city, county and fire officials came out for the July 30 dedication and ribbon cutting of what is the Station 17 Fire Training Tower named in Wise’s honor.
Wise is technically the fire chief of Turlock and Ceres, as well, as the cities have been contracting for fire service with Modesto…