New Wexford Fire Station Delights All Ages

The little 5-year-old boy in the firefighter's outfit climbed in and out of fire trucks Sunday and donned a big helmet at the new Wexford Volunteer Fire Co. firehouse.

Will Monroe and his little brother Jack have been to other fire stations, their mother Kellie Monroe said, but they have been "anxiously awaiting the opening of this one" since ground was broken.

"This one" is the new $5 million fire station at 228 North Chapel Drive in Wexford, which opened for tours and demonstrations Sunday.

Visitors who came through the front door were pointed in the right direction to take a self-guided tour of the 30,000-square-foot fire station and ask questions of the volunteer firefighters positioned throughout the building. They also could peruse and climb in the vehicles in the enormous bay area.

"I found an ax," 3-year-old Jack Monroe exclaimed to his mother as his older brother checked out the fire truck that he no doubt hopes to drive one day.

At the back of the station, the volunteer firefighters gave demonstrations of rappeling down the side of a building for rescue operations. They are able to do that because the new station has a two-story training tower from which firefighters can rappel to rescue a dangling training dummy.

Back inside, visitors headed upstairs to see the living quarters for firefighters who actually live at the station for free, under an agreement that requires them to perform certain duties. The arrangement guarantees quicker response times, particularly at night, as firefighters are at the station and ready to go soon after a call comes in.

Three firefighters already have moved in, and more will follow to live in the furnished two-person rooms that resemble a hotel or dorm room, with bunk beds, an armoire, closet space and a bathroom with a shower.

One room is handicapped-accessible. That room could be used temporarily to house a family that is displaced because of a fire, explained firefighter Jacob Ballard, who said he became interested in that work after talking to a firefighter at the scene of a fire years ago.

"I started when I was 16, and I absolutely love it," the Pine-Richland High School graduate said.

He and fellow firefighter Bob Lawther guided visitors through the living quarters and answered questions. 

A community day room with sofas, chairs, end tables and a big-screen TV is part of the living quarters, as well as a dining area with a table and chairs. 

The fully furnished kitchen has a unique aspect, Ballard explained. When a call comes in and sends firefighters scrambling to their trucks, the gas stove is automatically turned off to avoid any cooking mishaps as the volunteers head out the door to answer the call.

To stay in shape for their jobs, the firefighters have a workout room in the basement with adjoining locker rooms with showers.

On the main floor of the firehouse is a large conference room used for training -- complete with a SMART Board that can be used to display videos and PowerPoint presentations. Administrative offices and a radio room are close by.

For Sunday's tour, a slide show played continuously in the conference room, presenting a history of the fire company, which was founded in 1921, and statistics on the work undertaken by its volunteers.

In 2010, the fire company's members collectively logged 2,500 hours in training.

The conference/training room will be used to host regional training sessions as well, said 1st Lt. Mark Hetzel, who has been a firefighter since 1998. He said the fire companies within the region work together.

The bulk of a firefighter's time is spent in training, he added. Besides fighting fires, firefighters are also called upon to answer calls for commercial and residential alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, vehicle accidents, downed power lines and fallen trees, first aid and CPR. 

Changes in building and automobile technologies, as well as new methods and equipment in firefighting, make nonstop learning essential to firefighters, according to information provided at the open house.

The department has 50 members, three stations and nine vehicles. In addition to the new main station, its facilities are located on Babcock Boulevard and at Pine Township's Municipal Building.

Of course, the firefighters also talk to children about fire safety and on Sunday provided them with activity bags.

Karin Sudac of Pine Township, who came for a tour with her family, said her young sons "love fire trucks and firemen."

Wexford VFC President Dave Buttermore said he "couldn't be more thrilled with the turnout" at Sunday's open house.

"We had no clue what to expect," he said.

Catching a glimpse of 5-year-old Will Monroe in his firefighter's outfit, Buttermore added with a smile:

"We're recruiting already."