Champlain, NY (WCAX) – The future home of Champlain Fire District in the north of New York is about 20 years. Our Alek Lashomb brings us there to see what is new and what civil servants will do with the current fire station.
For the first time in almost 40 years, volunteer firefighters in Champlain are preparing to move to a new home.
“A year of construction work, more than 20 years of planning. It is actually very surreal. It is difficult to believe that it is actually here,” said Chris Trombley, the Commissioner of Champlain Fire District.
The voters approved the 6.9 million dollar project in 2023. The construction started in May last May.
The train station sits on the corner of routes 9 and 11 in the city of Champlain and is more than twice as large as the current furnishings of the Champlain Fire District in the village.
Fire representatives say that their proximity to the Northway means that volunteers can react faster to a growing number of fire and mutual help calls.
Inside the building, it corresponds to the OSHA requirements, including separate rooms for contaminated equipment.
“We have to have a place for the firefighters to clean their equipment if they come back due to the new cancer regulations, and this facility will have everything that is needed,” said Dale Tetreault, the Commissioner of Champlain Fire District.
Firefighters also say that the building not only fulfills the safety regulations, but they also believe that it will attract the next generation of volunteers.
“I am confident that this new station will enable us to further recruit and keep new members and our current members, as it makes it very proud of this community to serve the public,” said Cory Thompson of Champlain Mooers Ems.
Officials say that it still takes some last details, such as completing work in the offices and the meeting room. However, they say they plan to move in by the end of September.
As for the old station, you will turn back to the voters because you want to sell the property for around 350,000 US dollars.
“We have to go to the public referendum to sell the old station where we are currently located,” said Trombley.
You expect this vote to be held in October.
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