The Lindsey Fire Department opened its doors to the public Sunday, showing the community its new $1 million fire station and meeting room in the heart of the village. An estimated 300 people attended the open house Sunday afternoon, getting an up-close look at the new station.
The original two-story brick department station, built in 1897, was not originally designed to be a fire station. The brick building served as funeral home and an automobile dealership before becoming the village's fire station, said Jason Conklin, deputy fire chief and campaign chairman.
The building was not compliant with Ohio Building Codes, the Americans with Disabilities Act, National Fire Protection Association or Occupational Safety & Health Administration requirements.
Planning for a new station began in 2002, when members of the volunteer department conducted a Needs Assessment and formed a building committee to research possible options.
The three key concepts for a new station were safety of the 3,000 residents the village department serves as well as the 34 volunteer firefighters on the roster; a shared resource/multi-use facility; and future needs of the department.
Funding began in 2010, with members of Lindsey Volunteer Fire Department dedicating all proceeds from annual reverse raffles and other fundraising events to a building fund. The fire department pledged $220,000 to the new station. The capital campaign began in early 2014 and the $1 million goal was raised by December.