HAMMOND — Firefighters, police officers, community members and elected officials gathered Thursday afternoon to formally open Hammond Fire Station No. 2, the second major fire station project in Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.’s tenure.
“When I took office, I made a promise to invest in public safety,” McDermott told the capacity crowd, which had braved the downpour outside to fill the station’s expansive garage. “And I promised when I became mayor, we were going to not just invest in public safety in words, but in action.”
Ribbon cutting for Hammond Fire Department’s new station
Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. shares comments at the ribbon cutting for the Hammond Fire Department’s new station.
His latest action is an approximately $8 million investment to build the brand-new station, located at 2403 Calumet Ave. in the city’s Robertsdale neighborhood. Built directly across the street from The Pavilion, it’s the latest piece of modern architecture in an area McDermott said he promised when he became mayor would eventually become green and redeveloped.
“This is where everybody comes to recreate now,” he said Thursday. “And this station fits right in.”
Mike Hull, President of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 556, pointed to The Pavilion Thursday, perfectly placed behind him and the department’s engines outside.
“Look at this whole freaking area right behind us, these homes next door,” Hull said. “If this fire station and that stuff doesn’t tell you what the heck’s going on in Hammond, I don’t know what will. This is an incredible feat.”
Hammond Fire Department Chief Bernie Grisolia took a moment to reflect on the job the old station, located just a block north, had done to house Hammond firefighters since it opened in 1961.
Ribbon cutting for Hammond Fire Department’s new station
Hammond Fire Chief Bernie Grisolia speaks at the ribbon cutting for the Hammond Fire Department’s new station.
“Though that building will no longer stand one day, the legacy and the memories created there will always be part of Hammond’s history,” Grisolia said. “We welcome this new facility, one that is modern, efficient and built to meet the needs of the growing community.”
The new station features an open, modern kitchen with an outdoor grilling area attached, a fitness center, a lounge room, three separate sleeping bays and an enormous garage to house the station’s fire apparatuses.
“Improved facilities tend to mean improved performance. Improved performance shows up on the streets with our residents,” said Mark Kalwinski, the Democratic councilman of Hammond’s 1st District. “So thank you to everybody that made this possible for taking care of our residents in the 1st District and throughout the city.”
Ribbon cutting for Hammond Fire Department’s new station
This is the fitness room at Hammond’s new fire station.
The $8 million price tag is nearly double that of the last station upgrade, completed in 2018.
Plans for the latest station upgrade originated in