There’s a lot to take in when walking the main street of NoDa. The smells from popular restaurants, the colorful murals and the faint buzzing from tattoo shops; the popular neighborhood provides a nonstop stimulation of senses. But standing out amongst the bold character of the community, is a quaint government owned building.
Charlotte Fire Department’s (CFD) Station 7 has become an icon of sorts for its prime location in the trendy neighborhood. Captain Art Cochran who has spent 23 years with CFD, nine at Station 7, believes the location of the building sets it apart from any other station. We recently toured the building to learn more about the station’s history and the impact these firefighters have in the community.
Station 7 was built in 1935 and for the most part the structure remains the same, as renovations included technology upgrades and the addition of a weight room. “This is the smallest station in the city,” says Cochran. “When this station was built, this area was the end of city limits and was built with a jail cell in the back for holding.” The cell area has since been transformed into a common area. “An older gentleman stopped by here one day and told me he formerly worked at this fire station. Turns out, he was hired to cut the bars out of the cell after the jail was no longer in use. He says he still has the keys to the old jailhouse door.”
The original Station 7 marquee hangs in the dining area where the crews often congregates. There are always four firefighters on duty, working 23-hour shifts. “We have a good crew here,” says Cochran. The location of the building allows the firefighters to connect with residents on a personal level.“This station is unique because of its location. Our crews like to open the doors at night and talk with the people walking by.”
“The bench outside, the faded ‘No. 7’ bench, was stolen one night,” says Cochran. “As people walked by they stopped and asked ‘where’s your bench’? We told members of the community it was stolen and the news soon made its way into the neighborhood e-newsletter. I guess the person who stole it felt a little heat from the community and soon after called the station to tell us where we could find the bench with no questions asked. We found our bench thanks to the community.” Cochran says the crew really feels like an integral part of the neighborhood. “Just like we look after them, they look after us.”
It’s not uncommon for members of the community to show their appreciation for the firefighters of Station 7. From the local businesses to individual residents, the community regularly shows gratitude for their service. “Right before you arrived, a lady from a nearby church dropped off this cake just to say thanks.”
“When I came to the fire department, I was a 39-year-old rookie. I was the oldest in my class and the youngest class mate, a 19-year-old, sat right beside me,” says Cochran. He came to CFD after deciding to make a career change from construction work. This December, Cochran is set to retire but has loved every minute of his time within CFD, especially at Station 7. “I was talking to someone about retiring a few years ago, and they asked if I would move to a slower station for my final years.” Cochran says the station typically receives around 3,000 calls per year. “I responded to that person, nah, I don’t want to leave Station 7. This is where I want to finish my time and I’ll be proud to say that I retired out of Station 7.”
