Tonganoxie firefighters enjoying quarters they constructed

Photo by Shawn Linenberger. Enlarge photo.

Tonganoxie City Fire Department built an addition to its station that provides a full kitchen, men's and women's showers and bathrooms, four bunk rooms and a living room space. Firefighters did much of the construction work themselves. Pictured, from left, are Chief Dave Bennett, full-time firefighter Alexis Shanks and Deputy Chief John Callaghan. Bennett said the department is planning for an open house later this fall.

The red button is a popular conversation piece.

Inside the Tonganoxie City Fire Stations building addition is a red button.

Fire Chief Dave Bennett said the red button triggers a popular question.

What exactly does it do?

It shuts down the kitchen, Bennett said.

If firefighters are summoned to a call in the middle of preparing a meal, a push of the button turns off the stove and oven.

With firefighters hurrying off to a fire call, a push of the button ensures theres not a fire in the kitchen upon their return.

The kitchen is part of a 2,800-square-foot addition just north of the existing station that firefighters finished building at the beginning of this year.

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Tonganoxie firefighters enjoying quarters they constructed