Washington Twp. Fire House Project Will Allow Modernization

The Washington Township Fire Department's building may be getting a facelift that will allow the firefighters to work with more modern equipment.

The township council approved at their last meeting a bond ordinance which included funding for the initial costs for a renovation to the fire department headquarters, among other expenses.

The fire house was originally constructed in 1951 and renovated in '66, according to Fire Chief Jamie Powell. In the years since then, the floor has settled and cracks have appeared in it. 

"We're not sure it's structurally safe," Powell said.

There's also an issue with the garage doors, which are no longer tall enough to fit modern fire engines. The bucket on top of one of their trucks only makes it through by about 2 inches, and only makes it at all because the pavement outside was raised to make the truck lean as it enters or exits the building, Powell said.

When they have to buy a new tower ladder truck in the not-too-distant future, it likely wouldn't be able to fit through the current doors at all because of the growing size of modern firefighting equipment.

"We want to bring it up to the times so we can get current equipment," Powell said.

There's also the issue of handicapped accessibility. Powell said he hoped to have an elevator installed to make the upstairs open to all residents during public events.