Warsaw Fire Station No. 2 In Need Of Significant Repairs
WARSAW — Fire Station No. 2 on East Center Street is showing its age, structurally.
Parts of the structure are rusting away. Much of the damage is along exterior walls and around steel foundations. Some of the worst problems seem to be on the west side of the building, said Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory Fire Chief Michael Wilson.
Even though the problems are structural, he said he doesn’t believe the building needs to be replaced and added that he would not want to move because the current location is close to ideal.
Instead, Wilson said they are looking at repairs, possibly in the neighborhood of $800,000.
City and fire officials have assessed the problems and are now planning to hire a consultant to review the situation, Wilson said.
One option might be to tear down the west side of the building and expand on the east side — if necessary.
He said they’ve set aside $150,000 for the consultant, but does not think it will cost that much.
“Then we will have an idea on how to move forward in 2021,” Willson said.
He said they have a reserve fund for repairs if they identify something that could be done next year.
Talk about the repairs came up during the fire territory’s board meeting Tuesday afternoon in which the 2020 budget was discussed.
In many ways, the building is showing its age.
“We have heating and air condition issues. I would hate to think what’s above the drop ceiling. I don’t even want to talk about the mold issue,” Wilson said in half-jest after the meeting.
In a related matter, Wilson said they are budgeting for a new position in the department that would be known as an EMS coordinator. In addition to serving as a paramedic, the new position would be in charge of training, audit reviews, and work as a primary instructor with the state, Wilson said.
The position will help ensure the department maintains its advanced non-transport status. About 70 percent of all calls the fire territory receives are for EMS and accidents. The job would involve working closely with Lutheran EMS ambulance service.
The new job — if it wins final approval — will fill the slot formerly reserved for an assistant fire chief which has remained unfilled in recent years, Wilson said.
The board gave the budget a favorable recommendation.