Linda Shannon-Hills
The pancakes were flying on plates as SaddleBrooke Ranch (SBR) residents made their way in for the Golder Ranch Fire District (GRFD) 378 station Open House on Nov. 15, 2025. GRFD was planning on 250-300 and over 500 attended! Many dignitaries were present as well from the Golder Ranch Board, Lloyd Construction, dignitaries from the city of Oro Valley, and Fire Chief of Golder Ranch Fire District Tom Brandhuber.
The station had been operational for over five weeks before the Open House. After breakfast was served, color guard and bagpipes presented the flags, speeches were given, then we moved outside to watch the raising of the American flag, making station 378 official. A thank you to the SBR Veterans Club for the donation of a high–quality flag for the station.
Golder Ranch Fire District was created on Nov. 15, 1977, by a vote of the residents in the area, so this open house was a double celebration of 48 years of service to GRFD serving the 238 square mile area with a population of 100,059 residents.
Sitting on a 2 acre parcel of land purchased by GRFD and Robson, station 378 is 9,933 square feet and the cost of construction of $6.8 million paid by GRFD. The entire project is approximately $7.5 million, funded through the 2019 bond initiatives. The station houses three shifts of four personnel (one always being a paramedic) per shift, two 24/7 days on and four days off. The engine crew can mitigate any fire, but more importantly have all the advanced life support training and equipment to be the first line care provider in medical emergencies; the engine crew can do anything an ambulance crew can do minus taking you to the hospital.
There are 11 dorm rooms to give the station a chance to grow with the community. In addition, a fully stocked kitchen, a living area with a very large screen TV donated by an SBR resident, and an outdoor patio with grill, and other cooking equipment are featured.
The residents of SaddleBrooke Ranch raised donations to purchase an eight–chair patio table, which the crew really enjoys going out to view the Santa Catalina Mountains with their morning coffee.
SBR Woodworking Club members John Gordon and Jeff Hansen made the wood plaque that hangs in the entry of this beautiful new station.
Assistant Chief Grant Cesarek was project manager over the process. In talking with him after the ceremony, he said, “We appreciate all the community support, donations, and the feeling of community from SaddleBrooke Ranch. Thank you very much.”
Remember to call 911 in case of a fire or medical emergency, but call 311 (or 520-825-9001 ext. 7) for rattlesnake removal or to change out your smoke detector batteries.