BOARDMAN Trustees OK changes in work on fire stations

Work being done at the South Avenue location is more extensive.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Trustees have approved changes in the renovation plans at two township fire stations under reconstruction.
Renovation work began at the fire stations on South Avenue and Shields Road in mid-2003. The work is expected to be completed sometime in early summer.
Initial plans for the fire truck garage at the Shields Road station will remain the same, but a storage area will be added for equipment now used by firefighters. That was not a consideration when the building was built in the late 1950s. The garage can hold two fire trucks.
The kitchen and dining area at the station will be enlarged, with added pantry space for each shift of firefighters. Township firefighters work one day on, two days off in three three-person shifts.
The firefighters share one bathroom and one shower, but that will change to three bathrooms and showers for privacy. A bathroom accessible to the disabled will also be added.
The station will also get a new fitness room and bunk space for up to six firefighters, with closet space for each. The station now has one open bunk room shared by all three firefighters on duty.
The estimated cost of the upgrades was about $363,000.
Work being done at the South Avenue location is more extensive. A new facility is being built and the fire station is being torn down when the new structure is complete.
South Avenue
Total cost of the South Avenue project is estimated at under $1 million.
Most of the approved changes were for the Shields Road station, however outside gas lines will be added to both fire stations. The additional gas line will cost $551 at the Shields Road Station and $700 at the South Avenue Station.
Fire Chief James Dorman said the additional gas lines were needed in case firefighters decide to add a gas grill to the outside of the stations for outdoor grilling.
Patio area
"We try to provide them a comfortable living environment. There is an outdoor patio area for them to enjoy some of the same comforts they would have at home," he said.
The Shields Road station will get a new heater in the truck bay area at a cost of $2,251. Dorman said original plans were to keep the old heater, but it is more than 40 years old. He said a decision was made to replace it now during construction.
Other costs associated with installing the heater are estimated at $962.
A permanent multi-purpose electric range will also be added to the Shields Road station. Dorman said the range is needed because firefighters will have to use their workout room as a kitchen during construction. The range will cost $330.
jgoodwin@vindy.com