Six-year old Ryan Woods takes a turn in the driver’s seat of a fire truck at the Apalachin Fire Department’s (AFD) open house on April 23. Also pictured is AFD fireman, Ryan Crispell. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Six-year old Ryan Woods checks out the back seat inside a fire truck at the AFD’s open house on April 23. Ryan was excited to meet an AFD fireman with the same first name, Ryan Crispell. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
AFD station no. 1 hosted a farewell open house for the public on April 23. The fire district will be building a new main fire station on the same site, located on the property at 230 Penn. Ave. in Apalachin, N.Y. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Demolition of AFD station no. 1 is anticipated later this year, making way for a new main fire station on the same site. The original building dates back to 1954; an addition was added in the 1970’s. (Provided photo)
As a farewell to the Apalachin Fire Department’s (AFD) station no. 1, department members held an open house for the public on April 23.
The fire district will be building a new main fire station on the same site located at 230 Penn. Ave. in Apalachin, N.Y., which will also utilize adjacent land owned on the south side of the property. Demolition is anticipated within the next several months.
The AFD announced in November 2015, “By a two to one margin, the voters of the Apalachin Fire District approved the construction of a new fire station on the site of the current fire station (Station No. 1). At $2.5M, this new facility will be built to meet the needs and space requirements of our modern fire service for decades to come, and allow us to better serve our community and the taxpayers.”
Visitors at the open house were able to view detailed engineering plans of the approximate 12,000 square foot building, which will replace the existing 7,000 square foot building. The original part of the building dates back to 1954; an addition was added in the 1970’s. The new building will feature a seven-bay truck garage along with offices, a community room, added storage space and conference and training rooms, among other features. The new building will meet or exceed ADA compliance.
Andy Foley, first assistance chief and a member of the building committee, explained that construction of a new fire station was more feasible than attempting to renovate the existing building due to overall costs, one significant line item being the requirement to meet today’s building codes.
“The best decision was to start fresh,” Foley commented, and added that the new building will offer much needed space. Just one of the many examples, Foley added, is, “Right now, the tight tolerances make it difficult for firefighters to get gear on.”
Mary Ann Cascarino, a fire commissioner and member of the building committee, explained that there would be three entrances to the new station, one of which will come from the backside of the building. The fire department’s property line includes land that extends down to New Street.
“Fire trucks will still pull out as usual onto Pennsylvania Avenue,” Cascarino and Foley explained, and added that the new station will be built a little further south of where it is now.
Foley shared, “Moving the building slightly south ensures that nothing obstructs the view.”
The public was also invited to view live demonstrations and displays while children had the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities.
Open interviews for “Recruit New York” also took place on-site in an effort to recruit new volunteers.
Assistant Chief Steve Luker explained that interested individuals, including apprentice members who can start at age 16, are welcomed to stop by the fire station during the day or on drill nights, which are scheduled on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m.
“We’re looking for all level volunteers, and not just firefighters,” Luker commented, which includes volunteers to drive trucks or ambulances, as well as fire police.
According to their website, apalachinfd.com, in 2015 the AFD responded to nearly 530 ambulance calls, more than 30 MVA’s and over 20 fire calls.
The AFD also operates two other fire stations, located in Tioga Terrace and South Apalachin.
The AFD Firemen’s Field Days are a go again this year and are scheduled Wednesday through Saturday, June 1 through June 4.
For additional information, visit apalachinfd.com, find them on Facebook or call (607) 625-2216.
