When West Deer Volunteer Fire Company No. 3 moved to its new station last year, members knew it would take time for the department to fit the station to their needs.
“Making the transition to a new building was needed,” Chief Josh Wiegand said. “We just didn’t have the money to do everything all at once.”
Work is scheduled to begin this spring on a project to expand the garage to accommodate all of the department’s equipment and ensure that it’s weather-tight, Wiegand said.
“We had a canopy of about 5,000 square feet, so everything was under roof,” he said. “But the equipment was all ‘double-stacked.’ Now, each truck will have its own garage space.”
Wiegand and his crew of about 40 active volunteers moved to the new station at 4418 Gibsonia Road, the former Krigger & Co. site, after buying it for $1.8 million.
The department had spent the past six decades at its original station just a quarter-mile down the road. A growing department, West Deer No. 3 was crammed into the old space, and Wiegand said there were no options to expand.
Volunteers respond to about 1,000 calls a year — up from 400 calls a decade ago.
Work to enclose the garage space will be done with the help of a $200,000 state grant awarded this month. The total cost of the project has not been determined.
State Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-West View, said the planned station project will allow the department to more effectively serve residents and those in surrounding communities. Williams’ 38th Legislative District includes West Deer.
“West Deer No. 3 has been incredibly forward-thinking in developing a property that will meet its current needs and support this growing department into the future,” Williams said.
The new location has more space for training, fundraising, fitness and decontamination.
Wiegand said future projects will include bunk rooms and showers. It’s his hope to provide a live-in program for faster responses.
“We’re very excited about the work and this grant,” Wiegand said. “We hope to start as soon as possible.”
