Back then, Marion was a town of roughly 20,000, served by two fire stations. Today, the city has doubled in population — and Krebill is now the fire chief — but it still is served by those same two locations.  

A third site for a new fire station has been in the works for years, but has faced roadblocks — including being put on the back burner after the 2008 recession and amid difficulties securing land in more recent years, Krebill said. The new facility will be near Marion’s new YMCA and Gill Park, on the southwest corner of Tower Terrace Road and Irish Drive. The city purchased the land for about $1 million last year.

The project to renovate Monroe Fire Station #5 on 3110 Breard St. is estimated to cost $1,859,000. The new station total square footage is 8,430 and will be able to house additional units such as an ambulance or rescue unit. The station will be located in the same area with the addition of the acquired lot behind the current station.  

The estimated construction time is one year. Updates will include improved living conditions, larger truck bays, and improved site and drainage. 

“Part of what we are trying to communicate here is this is a station relocation,” Trustee Christopher Nichols said. “People think we are adding a station. We are just relocating the current station that serves this area to a better spot. This is our most densely population area in our township. This is actually a long-time process we have been going through with our Fire Department.”  

Township trustees recently agreed to award N.L. Construction a contract to build the fire station. The 8,340-square-foot fire station will be attached to the north side of the Community Center. The Community Center, which is a former elementary school, currently houses the Fire Department administration office.