History of Station 31

Guardians Of The Corridor

Story By Capt. Tim Gardner

A special thank you goes out to the crew of B Shift for saving the pictures at the end of this story in scrapbooks to help tell the history of the "Guardians of the Corridor".

Station 31 located in Palm Beach County unincorporated Lake Worth, Florida, servicing residents west of Lake Worth's city limits. Station 31 was formerly known as Trail Park Volunteer Fire Department.

During 1956 the City of Lake Worth informed the residents of the unincorporated rural area that the city's only fire apparatus would no longer respond beyond the city limits, leaving residents without fire protection. Residents formed a volunteer fire department out of immediate need, naming it Trail Park Volunteer Fire Department (T.P.V.F.D.). A small wooden, very old garage was used as the original Trail Park fire station located at 3934 Military Trail (behind what is now known as Albertson's at Lake Worth Rd and Military Trail), housing a single 150 GPM fire truck. The station was located near the "PURE" all night truck stop, which also served as the dispatch center for the fire department. Fire calls were received by the gas station attendant whom would then dispatch the alarm in a somewhat primitive manner by sounding a large air horn to alert volunteers. He would then begin to phone call a list of volunteers whom would either respond to the station or the scene, within the 46 square mile response area

The small fire department operated solely on funds received from donations and fund raisers until 1963, at which time fire taxing districts were created providing funding for the fire protection. T.P.V.F.D. became T.P.F.D. District #7. As a result of the new funding the first firefighter was hired working an 8 hour day shift. A short time later Chief Robert Bean was hired as the first paid, part time chief. The fire district was governed by a board of three fire commissioners.

Hurricane Isabel blew into the area on October 14th, 1964 giving birth to a tornado which ultimately destroyed the small firehouse at approximately 5:35pm. The station, a total loss had to be extracted off of the fire apparatus that was taking refuge within it's walls. As a result, a temporary station was set up at a small gas station at Davis Road and Lake Worth Road.

The new T.P.F.D. District #7 fire station was constructed in 1965 at 3439 Lake Worth Road. (Current Station 31). The new $35,000 concrete structure would provide apparatus bay, bathrooms, open kitchen, and a small storage room ( note: no bunkroom). Apparatus bay was air conditioned for the Wednesday night Bingo games drawing large crowds generating revenue for the volunteers. Eventually office area and a bunkroom was added to the north side of the structure . In front of the station a small pristine lake naturally stocked with bass, gators, and otters provided a drafting site and an excellent fishing hole for local youths.

The air horn and phone calling system of dispatching was phased out during 1972 as radios were purchased to alert volunteers to emergencies. T.P.F.D. became station #1, Head Quarters of the fire district as stations #2 and #3 were open in 1976 and 1983. Station #2 is now known as P.B.C.F.R. Station 32 and Station #3 is now known as P.B.C.F.R. Station 43.

1984 brought about more changes as all the fire districts within Palm Beach County were consolidated forming the Palm Beach County Fire rescue Department. T.P.F.D. HQ became Station 41, HQ of the new battalion 4, it was later changed to Station 31, it's current eternal designation. Station 31 also serves as the HQ for battalion 9, Special Operations Battalion.

Station 31 is located in the heart of the "Lake Worth Corridor Policing Jurisdiction", it houses an Engine company, ALS Rescue unit, Special Operations Unit, District Chief, and Battalion Chief. Personnel are referred to as "Guardians of the Corridor". The Gargoyle has been adopted as the station mascot. As one of the Special Operations Captains was traveling down a country road in north Georgia he drove by a roadside vendor of concrete figures, a pair of wings among the motionless structures stood out. Three Gargoyles were soon on their way to Palm Beach County, Florida. They now permanently rest atop the front of Station 31 where they can oversee all. Station 31 provides protection to an area made up of residential, commercial, and light industrial. What was once a rural community with various summer cottages has transformed to a densely populated area forging a culturally diverse community. Behind the station sits a small neighborhood bar which at times has been the site of a number of serious and at times colorful emergencies. The pristine lake no longer exist, filled in years ago leaving a sparsely grass covered vacant lot. To the south of the station, the only Drive-In movie theater still operates nightly, operating a Flea market on the weekends.

The thirty seven year old station is currently undergoing many much needed renovations and upgrades. There have been many changes and additions since the days as a Bingo hall/fire station with living quarters, offices, computer room (The Swamp), and chief offices added. The Gargoyles remain perched above overseeing the Guardians and the community.