The four-person crew based at the City's newest fire hall has been working from Station No. 7 for six months.

But the latest edition to the Fire and Rescue family was officially opened for business during a ceremony Monday morning.

"It's nice to be home," Fire Chief Neill Moroz said at a press conference.

To mark the occasion, Moroz, Mayor Peter Milobar, a few City councillors and politicians held a ribbon cutting ceremony outside the station in Aberdeen.

But, in true firefighter fashion, the dignitaries were presented with a section of hose that was un-coupled instead of cut.

Station No. 7 was on the books for the better part of a decade. Some of the key players in the project, including retired fire chief Gary McCall and former City CAO Randy Diehl, attended the festivities.

Moroz referenced the hard work that went into planning, designing and building the $3.9-million hall and thanked all those who had a hand in making it a reality.

"For some of us, it's been a long time coming," he said.

Milobar thanked the firefighters for their patience. He said it was always a matter of balancing the need for another fire hall without too heavy a price to taxpayers.

"I think the end result is well worth it," he said. "With the opening of this subdivision, I think this is the better spot to locate. We were always wanting it in this general vicinity."

Not only is the building nice to look at, but it's filled with innovative ideas, including state-of-the-art training facilities, said Milobar, who invited the media on a tour of the station.

A prime example is the five-storey hose tower filled with metal-framed stairs and landings that are suited for rappelling and rope-rescue training. Roof rafters in the mezzanine off the station's six loading bays were built so firefighters can tie ropes off of them and practice rescue manoeuvres.

Milobar said the facilities will help firefighters hone the skills they need to not only protect themselves, but the citizens of Kamloops.

"There is absolutely no doubt in my mind you are doing great work in this city," he said.

When approached after the ceremony, McCall said the building turned out better than he could have imagined.

The project was discussed prior to his term as chief, with an original site picked closer to the valley, said McCall. It was greenlit right before he retired in 2009.

McCall appreciates being able to see the finished building.

"It's fabulous. Absolutely fabulous," he said.

Fire and Rescue Capt. Ross Lowndes was part of a steering committee that helped design aspects of the station. He's happy with how the building turned out, he said.

"At the end of the day, it's what do you need to function and can you afford it," said Lowndes. "It worked out great."

Kamloops South-Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger and a representative for MP Cathy McLeod attended the ceremony.