FERNDALE, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Ferndale residents are getting closer to having around-the-clock staffing at their local fire station.

Whatcom County Fire District 7 says its administrative offices have officially moved to a new location on Third Avenue.

It will open to the public starting on Tuesday, Feb. 17, with the same hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Fire Chief Ben Boyko tells My Bellingham Now the move is a key first step towards 24-hour staffing at Station 41, which is one of the busiest locations in the district.

The station was remodeled in 2008 to house the district’s administrative, support and maintenance divisions with the goal to eventually convert it into a full-time response facility. Now that the administrative offices have been moved out, the next step is to find a new home for the support and maintenance divisions.

The district is also planning to hire more firefighters, add a sleeping quarters for them in the station and begin fire academy in April.

Boyko says they’re hoping to have 24/7 staffing at Station 41 by July 1.