New fire station to open in Apalachin

The final stages of construction of the new Apalachin Fire Station No. 1, located at 230 Pennsylvania Ave. will soon be completed.  The Apalachin Fire Department (AFD), now in its 105th year, expects to take possession in late January and resume normal operations in February.

Replacing the original 1950’s station, and its addition from the late 1970’s, was described by some as bittersweet during the April 2017 demolition. But, the more modern station, an approximate 10,000 square foot building that includes a seven bay truck garage and administrative wing, brings a fresh new look to Apalachin’s landscape and in turn allows the AFD to better serve the community.

With “hard dollar construction costs” previously communicated at $2,598,177, and then additional soft dollar costs boosting the total toward $3 million, the new Station No. 1 offers a more efficient environment, and all on one level.  Much needed space provides accommodations for larger size fire apparatus, offices, meeting and training rooms and storage areas. 

As you pass by the flagpole and memorial to fallen firefighters and then walk in the front door entrance you quickly sense a more modern feel.

During a tour the first week in January, Chief Mike George commented, “We have 3,000 square feet more than the old station,” and further explained that the extra square footage can be seen in the finished garage.

George pointed out a large training room near the front entrance and commented that it is the same size as was in the old station.  One to-do list item just off the training room, and within the same space, is the final construction of a kitchen area.

As you walk down a hallway toward the bays, you pass by two office areas, a second, yet smaller, training and meeting room, two housing rooms for responders to bunk down, as well as a response room near the garage entrance.

Brian Rieber, chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners, when asked what will be housed inside the garage, explained that there will be multiple equipment and vehicles, including two ambulances, a first responder vehicle, a rescue truck and engine, a fire police vehicle, a boat and trailer.

George explained that once a 30-some foot truck is parked inside the new 40-plus foot space, the ability to wash trucks inside, along with a lengthy list of other positive aspects, are win-wins.  Compared to the old station where tight tolerances were a major issue, a big feature is the extra space that will allow more-than-ample elbowroom for firefighters to put on and take off their gear.   

Rieber pointed out that a mezzanine area above the garage, a cost effective use of space without adding extra square footage to the building, offers additional room for storage and other mechanical equipment.

Extensive training remains an ongoing priority.  George taught a class late last year that saw four EMT’s complete their EMT-Critical Care (Medic) class, and in July last year, the AFD boat team used their water rescue training during a flash flooding event near portions of the Apalachin Creek.

The AFD was one of several fire departments and emergency service squads who received funding last October, as announced by Senator Fred Akshar, and used a $5,000 grant toward the purchase of five new SCBA bottles for firefighting, which are now in use.

In December, the AFD signed on three new members, and it is George’s hope that the new station will attract more volunteers.  AFD currently has about 70 members.

George commented that most calls ran smoothly through the District’s two other stations since last spring, one located in Tioga Terrace and another in South Apalachin, when old Station No. 1 was demolished.  

“We had over 700 calls in 2017,” George explained, adding, “And about 70 percent of those were EMS.”  George also shared that about twice each week the AFD was called out to assist Little Meadows, Pa. with particular medical expertise.

Rieber recognized the dedication of all AFD volunteers, commenting, “We had three responders who volunteered for 100 calls each in 2017.”

A future project planned, and unanimously voted by AFD Commissioners, resulted in acquiring the foreclosed property at 19 New Street for $14,000, located behind the new station.  Utilizing operating funds that would have been used for utilities or snow removal at the old fire station allows the District to create additional parking later, along with an entrance from New Street.

For now, be sure to listen for the new siren installed behind the station. With high-tech capabilities available today, hearing a fire siren is almost a thing of the past, but for Apalachin, the AFD conducted a survey and found that a siren was still a wish-list item for most. 

An open house at the new station will be planned sometime in the spring. 

For more information or to inquire about becoming a volunteer, call (607) 625-2216, or visit the AFD website at www.apalachinfd.com.