LFC moves to new facility
Limerick Fire Company starts to operate out of new $3.5 million firehouse
LIMERICK » Finishing touches on the new $3.5 million home of the Limerick Fire Company were completed recently.
While a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new facility won’t take place for another few months, move-in day for the fire and ambulance crews who will call the new building home took place July 30.
“We’re very excited,” said fire company President Tom Walters. “It’s a big change for us.”
Construction on the two-story, 20,300-square-foot facility at 390 W. Ridge Pike began in early November 2016. Studies showed the fire company would save roughly $1 million by constructing a new station rather than try to renovate the old facility built in 1984. In addition, the company could design the new building to fit its needs and meet the demands of the future.
During construction, the fire
company operated out of two temporary locations, behind the township public works building and out of a building located at the former Teleflex property on Lewis Road.
“We are thrilled to be in the new house,” said Fire Chief Ken Shuler. “I think getting back under one roof has been challenging. The membership has been wonderful. But getting back under one roof it’s just a huge help for us.”
The biggest difference for the public other than the exterior will be the absence of a hall to rent. Instead, the new facility features training and study rooms for the more than 70 firefighters to meet mandated training certifications, equipment and radio rooms and administrative offices.
Additionally there is space for members to sleep while staffing the station during weather events and other emergencies. It also has accommodations to maintain emergency medical services staging and a space to support the township emergency operations center, Walters said.
He and Shuler seemed most proud of the new facility’s ability to house each of its vehicles under one roof, including space for the Trappe Ambulance Company.
“It’s very nice for us. We’re a very fortunate volunteer fire company,” he said. “I make no bones about it. If we’re not the luckiest (company) in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, we’re definitely in the top two or three. Our relationship with the township fire marshal, board of supervisors and the township manager is very good. We have a great relationship with Trappe Ambu- lance. They’re very excited to be in the facility.”
“The facility is absolutely fabulous,” said Shuler. “It will lend well for us and the community for the next 30 years easily.”
Walters thanked Limerick Chapel for providing rooms for training meetings and for allowing usage of its gymnasium during the annual kids firefighter summer camp. As a way of saying thanks, the company paved its parking lot and continued into a portion of the chapel’s lot.
Shuler thanked the community for its support.
“The building is here for them, not for us,” he said. “The community has been absolutely fabulous.”
Businesses will be invited to tour the new facility Oct. 19 before the official public dedication scheduled for Oct. 21 at 11 a.m.
“We are thrilled to be in the new house. I think getting back under one roof has been challenging. The membership has been wonderful. But getting back under one roof it’s just a huge help forus.” — Fire Chief Ken Shuler