The Friendship Fire Association celebrated a major step forward in the development of its museum with the formal inauguration of an elevator at Engine 3’s quarters Tuesday evening, January 22. The elevator, which will whisk people from the apparatus floor at the station up to the 3rd floor museum, will help allow FFA to achieve its goal of providing public access to the facility. A ribbon cutting ceremony was performed to christen the elevator. Fire Chief Dennis Rubin joined forces with FFA President Walter Gold and long time FFA member Hal Bruno in cutting the ribbon, followed by Hal taking the first official ride upstairs. The dedication also included a plaque mounted on the wall adjacent to the elevator, honoring the corporate donors who helped to make the project a financial reality. They include Pepco, Giant Food, and PNC Bank. Also in attendance were a number of DC FEMS officials who played a key role in helping to make the project a reality. It is the intention of FFA to establish regular museum visiting hours. Watch their website at
http://www.friendshipfire.org for further details.