Back row, L to R, Robert Wicorek, Donald Fugate, Ryan Taylor, Randy Nilsen, Casey Carlson and John Dunbar. Middle row; Mike Lunstad, J.W. Skogas, Dustin Manual, Eddie Shannon and Justin Calvert. Front row; Joe More, Brett Berry, Brian Buxbaum and Lloyd Fugate. Not pictured: Derrick Gackle, Jerrick Miller, John Cornwell and Sean Patrick.
The Fairview Volunteer Fire Department moved into its spacious new fire hall in time to answer its first call December 30th.
With ample space to house the seven fire trucks as well as all the gear needed to fight fires and handle accidents, the new fire hall is a vast improvement over the old, crowded one. The previous hall, which was on the same site, needed either an expensive renovation or to be torn down. The one newer section of the hall was moved and is now being used by the city.
The new fire hall was financed by Richland County at a cost of 2.1 million and adjoins the new Senior Citizen Center which should be ready for use about the end of February. The project took less than a year to complete, beginning with demolition last March. "It was amazing," fire chief Ryan Taylor said. "B&B Builders and the architect did a great job." The department holds its regular meetings upstairs but can use the Senior Center if needed for an event.
The Fairview Fire Department services a wide area, west to Highway 16, north to the river, south about half way to Sidney and into McKenzie County, ND. With 19 guys, the department is close to capacity but can always use new firemen. Four new guys joined in the past year and the remainder have lots of experience. "We have lots of great guys with lots of experience," Taylor stated. Basic funding comes from an appreciative community. Any residence or business with a Fairview address receives a funding request once a year. "People and companies are very generous," Taylor said. The city of Fairview covers utilities and workers compensation, while all the truck maintenance is done by the firemen.
The department would like to express its deepest gratitude to all those who helped to make the new fire hall a reality. Mark and Sheila Neu and Neu Construction provided housing for the fire trucks and equipment during the entire construction process; County Commissioners Shane Gorder, Loren Young and Duane Mitchell approved the funding; Adam Smith and Richland County Public Works tore down the old fire hall and hauled away the debris; the Fairview City Council voted to tear down the water tower.
Firms involved in the construction of the new fire hall include: B&B Builders, Badlands Concrete, Concrete Coatings, Cal's Carpet, Lander Painting, J&V Restaurant Supply, B&B Steel Buildings, Regan Plumbing, Frontier Heating, Holden Electric, Franz Construction, Custom Fencing and Welding, and Builders FirstSource.
Please join the fire department for its open house Sunday, January 14 from noon to 3 p.m. Refreshments will be served and tours given of the new facility.
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