The station, one of four in Aberdeen, will remain open and functioning for the duration of the project, which is expected to take 14 to 18 months, John Bender, Aberdeen Fire Department vice president, said. Bender is also chair of the building committee. When that’s completed, an estimated 11,000 square feet of the existing building will be torn down and replaced with a 24,400-square-foot structure to add bunk rooms, meetings spaces, a banquet hall and offices. Bender said the fire company would like to award a construction contract in the next two to three weeks and break ground in early 2019.

The fire department says Engine 3 was responding to a call about smoke at a home on Boston Town Road when it turned uphill onto Kelly Cross Road and left the roadway, ending up partially in a ditch.

Chief Hatfield was the only one on the truck, and was uninjured. The Dunlap Fire Department says Engine 3 is out of service until it can be repaired.

The funding comes from the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

The current fire pumper truck is 30 years old and lacks shoulder belts, so along with the application, Schumer wrote a letter in support of the grant, the release said.

 

Also supporting the funding are Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Claudia Tenney.  

“Up-to-date equipment is critical for our local fire departments, and the new fire truck will help our first responders better respond to emergencies and remain safe as they protect their our communities,” said Gillibrand in the statement. “We need to do everything we can to support our local fire departments, and I will always fight in the Senate to make sure they are given the resources they need.”