June 25--NEW PHILADELPHIA -- Hundreds of people gathered Saturday to witness the dedication of the city's new $4.9 million fire station.
Fire Department Chaplain David Carrick said the facility is for the "promotion of life, health and unity for New Philadelphia."
Mayor Joel B. Day told firefighters "Your new home will allow you to achieve even higher levels of training, and you'll probably get a better night's sleep, too."
He thanked firefighters for serving the city, and the citizens for approving the $5 million bond issue that allowed construction of the 24,005-square-foot building at 134 Front Ave. SE. He urged firefighters to take every opportunity to thank the public.
"This building is indeed the peoples' house," Day said. "We're so humbled by your support of our fire department,"
Chief Jim Parrish said, adding that it had served the community since 1959. The chief said the project was completed on time and within its budget.
"It was only successful due to teamwork and servant leadership," Parrish said. "I truly believe there is nothing, absolutely nothing, we cannot accomplish as a team if we can truly put hurdles like politics and personal agendas aside, and put the community needs first."
After the New Philadelphia High School band played the school's fight song, the assembled crowd was invited to tour the fire station, listen to music and dine on food being sold by barbecue and ice cream vendors.
Antique police, fire and emergency medical vehicles were displayed on an adjacent lot. The ample concrete driveways on both sides of the equipment bays provided space for the guests to mingle. During Fire Department operations, however, the pavement will allow firefighters to service vehicles and hoses without having to block a street, as regularly happened on Second Street SE in front of the old station.
With doors on both sides of the garage, trucks can drive straight into their parking spaces. In the old station, equipment had to back into parking spots. Anne Gunther, of Dover, was among the admirers of the new fire station. "It's beautiful; absolutely gorgeous, everything from the exterior to the interior," she said. "It's like it was well thought-out, construction, aesthetics."
Her interest in the station arose from her work as chief nursing officer at Aultman Hospital in Canton, where firefighter/medics take patients to the emergency department.
"Oh, my goodness, the grandeur of it all!" exclaimed Jim Hershberger, of Dover, upon touring the station. "It's magnificent; it really is," said his wife, Janie Hershberger. "It's been a long time coming," said Jim Hershberger. "All the departments help one another. It just adds to the safety factor."
The fire station includes spaces for training that are meant for use both by the fire service and the community. A storage area for turnout gear, located near but not in the equipment bays, keeps vehicle exhaust off coats and helmets.
Firefighters are also expected to be exposed to fewer carcinogens due to an advanced ventilation system that will remove exhaust from the building.
Retired postal carrier Dan Stocker attended the fire station dedication. He became acquainted with many firefighters during his 25 years delivering mail on foot downtown. His route included the old fire station at 108 Second St. SE, which was built in 1906, when horses pulled fire wagons.
He had this to say about the new fire station: "It's well overdue."
Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or [email protected]. On Twitter: @nmolnarTR ___ (c)2017 The Times-Reporter, New Philadelphia, Ohio Visit The Times-Reporter, New Philadelphia, Ohio at www.timesreporter.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
