The $5.76 million six-bay station will replace the 57-year-old firehouse, American Township Fire Chief Thomas Hadding said.
Credit: By Craig Kelly Source The Lima News, Ohio
Motorists traveling along Elida Road will soon see activity in the field next to BioLife Plasma Center. By the time work in that area is finished, the American Township Fire Department will have a new home.
While the 4.54-acre property at 4239 Elida Road was purchased in 2022 by the township for $210,000 using American Rescue Plan Act funds, the new, $5.76 million structure will be funded by the township after the department worked to save money to cover the cost of construction, American Township Fire Chief Thomas Hadding said.
“Before we even started the project, we had to have $5 million before we were even allowed to sign any paperwork or go out to bid for an architect or anything,” he said. “We try to pay for everything up front.”
Saving that kind of money took a lot of time and effort, including taking on tasks that may otherwise have been contracted out.
“We have been putting back in our budget,” he said. “Everyone in the fire department helped with reducing costs. We do a lot of our own fixing. These guys step up to help save money for the taxpayers. If we can do something in-house, we do it instead of sending it out. And then our fiscal officer, Brady Overholt, has been just awesome.”
The result of all of that work will be a six-bay fire station complete with updated amenities, including larger sleeping quarters for firefighters.
For Hadding, the move from the current Station 1 at 105 W. Main St. in Elida, which is expected to come in June 2026, will be hard, but the current limitations of the 57-year-old building and its location make the move necessary. Those limitations include limited parking options, smaller bays and cramped sleeping quarters.
“When this station was built, they ran anywhere from 50 to 100 calls, and we’re running over 3,000 calls now,” he said. “Guys didn’t sleep here then, so we’ve just outgrown it. We’ve worn it out.”
The station, designed by the Ottawa-based Technicon Design Group, will also allow for larger equipment that the current station cannot accommodate, Hadding said. He does hope, however, that the current station will still find new life under new ownership.
“I think it would make a great office for somebody or maybe a repair or a mechanical shop,” he said. “I’m hoping that a business will come in and that it will help with the economy for the village.”
As the world begins to reopen, the fire service needs to train and gather more than ever. INTERSCHUTZ USA fills that need, bringing to America what audiences around the world have always enjoyed at INTERSCHUTZ (Germany), a success story that dates back more than 60 years. The show, taking place this October, will showcase the world’s best in training, equipment and technology for firefighters, fire rescue personnel and EMS personnel.
This October 13-16, Philadelphia, PA will be transformed to a hub for the fire service and related outfits, featuring three full days of exhibits including fire service manufacturers, providers and resources from the U.S. and around the world. Attendees can participate in intensive workshops, three days of comprehensive conference sessions, product demonstrations and networking opportunities available to all attendees.
INTERSCHUTZ, Germany’s premiere fire event, is bringing training, technology and equipment for fire and EMS to the U.S. for the first time in October 2021. (INTERSCHUTZ)
Conference sessions and trainings at the show will discuss timely topics for the fire service and will be led by highly-vetted instructors. The show’s Incident Management sessions are now live at interschutzusa.com/training. The remaining conference sessions will be made public throughout the summer on a track-by-track basis, including an Instructor Track in partnership with the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI), content around Recruitment and Retention, content around Diversity & Inclusion, a Leadership track and EMS content.
Show Manager Rachel Lesczynski is excited to get this year’s show off the ground: “INTERSCHUTZ USA brings the global fire service perspective to the U.S. It is vital that we engage fire service leadership from around the world, not only to identify topics and need but also to secure appropriate instructors. Support from the Conference Advisory Board, Philadelphia Commissioner Adam Thiel and the global INTERSCHUTZ family was instrumental in our ability to bring this conference to Philadelphia; being able to finally gather again in person will give attendees the chance to experience hands-on demos and face-to-face interactions with peers.”
ACTIVITY AND EDUCATION LEADING UP TO THE SHOW
With training needs as they are in the U.S., INTERSCHUTZ USA knew it could create opportunities to keep the fire service engaged even before in-person events were ready to take place. Show organizers created the INTERSCHUTZ USA Digital Shift, a year-round webinar series. Each session, taking place at least once per month, covers a specific issue like “Making the Case for the Half-Story in Your Size-Up,” which took place on May 18. Presenters include leaders in the U.S. fire service, INTERSCHUTZ USA speakers and Conference Advisory Board members. Content leading up to the show will be released soon, between show conference session announcements.
INTERSCHUTZ USA will provide expertise and perspectives from around the world on common fire service topics. The show aims to provide the opportunity for broader views and conversations among a global fire service united in protecting its citizenry.
Similarly, INTERSCHUTZ USA 2021 will offer dedicated EMS/Rescue content. Too many U.S. fire rescue events fail to address this in their curriculum, even though an incredibly high percentage of fire service responses are EMS. INTERSCHUTZ USA changes that paradigm.
BUILDING ON A STRONG HISTORY
The Philadelphia fire community has provided local support to make sure the event is not only a valuable training opportunity but also an exciting opportunity to network with peers and industry leaders. When combined with the city’s access to the eastern U.S. – Philadelphia is within a four-hour drive of 44% of the U.S. fire service – its strong sports presence, renowned American history, phenomenal dining, shopping and more, it is clear why Philadelphia will be the place to be this October.
THE LEADING BRAND IN FIRE AND RESCUE
INTERSCHUTZ USA is the most recent addition to the INTERSCHUTZ Worldwide portfolio, which includes AFAC (Australia), CEFE (China) and REAS (Italy). Audiences around the world have enjoyed the unique emotional experience, personal encounters and feeling of common purpose provided by INTERSCHUTZ (Germany), the world’s largest trade show for fire and rescue services for over 50 years. Taking place every five years in Hannover, Germany, INTERSCHUTZ attracts a unique mix of commercial and non-commercial exhibitors. Companies unveil their latest innovations at the show, while fire and rescue service professionals show the latest in equipment and systems in action on an outdoor demonstration ground.
Designed for Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS)
Seats 10-12 Fully Equipped Team Members
(2) Litters, Overhead Trauma & Gooseneck Lighting
Open floor plan allows for rescue of downed personnel
The BearCat MedEvac G3 provides Lenco’s proven armor system in a ruggedized off-road platform. The G3 utilizes the same body design, interior features and tactical options as the G2, but it comes standard with a heavier duty upgraded suspension and off-road tires, rims & run flats to provide enhanced off-road performance. The increased ground clearance and robust suspension allows for emergency response in rural regions and natural disaster scenarios where standard armored SWAT vehicles would experience challenges. If your mission takes you off-road, the Lenco BearCat G3 will get you where you need to go. Available with mission-specific design features for Law Enforcement, Medical and Fire Response.
HIGHLIGHTS
Designed to meet the needs of First Responders & Tactical EMS teams
All Steel Armor Construction
On-Board Oxygen tanks, lighted work station, ample compartments for medical supplies
Increased vehicle length provides room for (2) Litters
