Published: January 26, 2007 08:51 pm            

AIR BASE: Work to begin on fire building

New $8 million facility will double firefighters’ working space

Despite temperatures that made most dirt impenetrable, local dignitaries were still able to break ground Friday on an $8 million crash fire rescue facility at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in the Town of Niagara.

The new 30,000-square-foot facility will replace the outdated 15,000-square-foot facility shared by 110 people from three agencies, Fire Chief Ed McDonald said.

“We’re busting at our seams,” he said.

The funds will be used on the new facilities, McDonald said, with the current equipment being transferred there after the structure is operational. Locally based contractor SLR Construction will do the work.

The military and civilian fire and rescue workers need the state-of-the-art facilities in order to meet the needs of the base, nearby Niagara Falls International Airport and community in general, according to Col. James Roberts Jr., the installation commander. In addition to performing duties on the base, fire personnel assist in regional efforts such as the cleanup from October’s winter storm.

“We have asked incredible amounts from our firefighters,” Roberts said. “(The old facility) has been outgrown by what we’ve asked them to do.”

The money for the project, which is from the federal government, is a worthwhile investment, according to Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-Fairport — especially in light of the recent struggle to keep the base in Niagara County.

“We will continue to do everything we can to improve the military value of this base,” she said. “Projects at the base support the whole community.”

In addition to fire support services, the new building will house personnel equipment to combat homeland security matters, natural disasters and response teams for emergency services and weapons of mass destruction, Roberts said.

The hope is to have the building finished within two years, according to the base’s office of public affairs.

        

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