MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — From renderings to reality, members of the West End Fire Company and officials from Chestnuthill Township walked Newswatch 16 through the new emergency operations center on Route 715 in Brodheadsville, which is almost complete.
"We've been through the building the past couple months watching it get done, and now walking through it today, we are seeing a lot of getting to the finish, finish cleaning it, and all of the last steps," said Jeff Weiss, West End Fire Company President.
The complex is home to the fire company, LVHN ambulance services, and Chestnuthill Township Emergency Operations. The $11 million project is a decade in the making.
"We got about $3 million in grants to offset the cost of the facility we are doing leases with LVHN EMS and also the fire company," explained Dave Albright, Chestnuthill Township Manager.
The old firehouse across the street was built in the 1960s. The department and its gear simply outgrew the space.
"We had a study done. Our commercial area is Brodheadsville. We have a ladder truck, it does not fit here; it has to go to Effort, so now we will be able to bring our ladder truck to the commercial area of the township where it belongs," explained Chief Michael Manfre Jr., West End Fire Company.
Each agency has its own space with bays for vehicles, meeting rooms, full kitchens, and shower facilities to clean up after a call. Chief Michael Manfre says some features will save the fire company a lot of time.
"We have a 30,000-gallon water tank now; we can fill our trucks after an incident. We don't have to go to ponds or neighboring areas to where they have hydrants to fill our trucks. It's just endless benefits we are going to have now."
Chesnuthill Township Manager Dave Albright says the building will allow more collaboration between agencies during major incidents and weather events. He says it's a major upgrade from the current setup at the township building.
"We can set up here with 12 stations and really have the ability to gather and work together cooperatively in larger emergencies when necessary," said Albright.
Officials expect to have all the equipment moved in by the end of the year.