Pictured is the inside of the new garage within the Little Meadows fire station. The six-vehicle bay is a significant improvement from their previous location, and will offer better protection and emergency services for the community. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Pictured is the previously occupied Little Meadows fire station, which lacked expansion options, lacked space for equipment, was energy inefficient and noncompliant with the ADA, among other concerns. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Pictured is the new Little Meadows fire station. An open house is scheduled for May 1, which includes a parade at 2 p.m. starting at the Dandy Mini Mart, followed by a ribbon cutting and ceremony at the new station. Activities, a picnic lunch, and a tour of the station are planned. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Pictured is the new Little Meadows fire station. Office areas, a multi-purpose room for training, meetings, events and emergencies, and a location, which can accommodate potential expansion in the future, highlights the new facility. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
The Little Meadows fire company, rescue squad, and events committee invites the community to attend a grand opening celebration on Sunday, May 1. (Provided)
The Little Meadows, Pa. volunteer fire company, rescue squad and event committee invites the community to the grand opening of their new fire station on Sunday, May 1. The grand opening includes a parade, a ribbon cutting and special ceremony, a picnic lunch and activities.
To kick-off the celebration, a parade is scheduled at 2 p.m., which will start in front of the Dandy Mini Mart on Pennsylvania Avenue / Route 858. Parade line-up starts at 1 p.m. and will feature floats designed by several businesses and community organizations, along with antique fire trucks, neighboring fire companies and others. The one-plus mile parade route will travel south on Penn. Avenue and conclude at the new fire station.
A flag dedication by V.F.W. Post 6824 of LeRaysville, Pa., along with a special ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication delivered by the fire company and a presentation by Talisman / Repsol representatives will immediately follow the end of the parade. Original members of the fire company and their families will be honored, and it is anticipated that elected officials will also be in attendance. Flying in for the occasion will be the Guthrie helicopter / ambulance. Several activities are planned, as is a picnic lunch, and visitors are welcome to tour the new station.
Officially taking occupancy in the new 6,240 square foot building in December 2015 which sits on about five acres of land not far from the old station, the Little Meadows fire company, founded in 1955, closes the doors on what was their home since 1957. The original station lacked enough space for equipment, was energy inefficient and noncompliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, among other concerns. Renovation projects were completed in 1976 and 1985 however the old station, on a mere quarter-acre of land, lacked the capacity for expansion.
The new fire station features a six-vehicle bay, along with heated floors and other energy-efficient means; much needed storage capacity, office areas and communication capabilities, and a location, which can accommodate potential expansion in the future. A multi-purpose room for training, meetings, events and emergency needs with access for the disabled highlights the new facility. Two separate driveway entrances/exits and ample parking will improve response time.
“The new station offers better protection and room for training,” shared fire company president, Mary Shaughnessy.
The Little Meadows fire company and rescue squad, comprised of about 40 trained volunteers, provides fire, ambulance and emergency services to more than 2,100 residents across approximately 83 square miles. Responding to upwards of 120 ambulance calls each year and an average of 30 fire calls, the areas covered include Little Meadows, Friendsville, Middletown, and Apolacon and Warren Townships. Little Meadows also supports surrounding communities, providing back-up service and mutual aid to Choconut, Silver Lake and Pike in Pa., and Apalachin, N.Y.
Remarkably, no tax dollars were necessary to support the new building project, and all money collected has been in the form of donations, grants and gifts. Talisman/Repsol was instrumental with their initial donation of $250,000, and subsequently followed up with an offer matched by community donations, which resulted in a total commitment of $350,000 from the energy company.
Impact fees from the borough, township and county administration also helped fund the $825,000 building project cost. A loan of about $130,000 is what remains for the fire company, and ongoing donations are welcomed.
Shaughnessy cannot thank the community enough. “The fire company thanks the community for their generous donations,” she shared.
Still fresh on her mind today, Shaughnessy remembers how much of an impact the flood of 2011 left on the Little Meadows community. Lacking a large emergency shelter was extremely difficult during Tropical Storm Lee, so the more modern fire station will be beneficial for future emergencies.
Shaughnessy commented, “We had no place to put people who were flooded out.”
Traffic will be stopped or diverted during the parade on May 1, so travelers are urged to seek alternate routes.
Shaughnessy concluded, “The new fire station is a huge benefit for the community, and we want everyone to come see it.”
