FERNDALE, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Residents in and around downtown Ferndale should see faster emergency response times this summer.

Whatcom Fire District 7 said Station 41 is now staffed 24/7 with a crew of at least three full-time firefighters.

Fire Chief Ben Boyko tells My Bellingham Now he expects the increased staffing to make EMS response times faster in the downtown core and near the freeway, which are the district’s busiest locations.

He also expressed gratitude to the Ferndale community for passing a levy lid lift last November that helped fund a variety of upgrades.

Station 41 is located on Washington Street, right between Ferndale High School and Main Street.

It now becomes the fifth fully-staffed station within District 7.