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 2020. McDermott attributed the increased cost this time around to soaring prices of building materials caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2024 alone, fire crews responded to 4,730 calls within the area the new station covers, city officials said. There are approximately 35,000 Hammond residents and several major commercial and industrial businesses within its coverage area.
More than half of project was funded by American Rescue Plan Act dollars given to Hammond and Lake County, the city said. ARPA was passed by Congress and signed into law by former Democratic President Joe Biden in March 2021.
Ribbon cutting for Hammond Fire Department’s new station
Hammond opens its new Fire Station No. 2 on Thursday.
Dave Hamm and Christine Cid, Lake County councilmembers, were critical in allocating ARPA dollars toward the cause.
“When ARPA monies came to the county, it was important to me that they be placed within… our community,” Cid said. “Public safety has always been a priority for me, not only to protect the community but to protect those who protect us.”
The project meant a little extra to Hamm, who said he spent more than 30 years as a Hammond firefighter.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the firefighters,” Hamm said. “Some of them I know… I want you to know how proud I am.”
McDermott said the fire station will bring with it faster response times, modern equipment and a stronger presence “in a part of the city that deserves nothing less.”
Ribbon cutting for Hammond Fire Department’s new station
Hammond Fire Chief Bernie Grisolia and Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. are joined by others as they cut the ribbon for the new Fire Station No. 2.
“It represents safety, service and readiness for the people of Robertsdale and beyond,” he said. “Our firefighters put their lives on the line every single day; The least that we can do as Hammond citizens is make sure they have the very best support we can provide.”
McDermott said he now plans to rebuild fire station No. 7 in southwest Hammond near the Munster border.
“We already have a location picked, we already own the land, we already have the station designed, we’re ready to go,” he said. “It’s money. So if anybody out there has $8 million they want to help out with, I mean, I can start building this one right away.”
McDermott said he’s shooting to have construction underway on that new station by the end of his sixth term, which expires at the end of 2027.
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