mfd hall project 2006

Mumford Fire District celebrates new building

   Mumford Fire District opened the doors on its new $1.59 million fire hall with an open house held Sunday, April 22. It’s been over a year in construction and many more in the planning stages, but it’s finally a reality. The first warm and sunny weekend of spring brought out a large crowd to view the new fire hall. The kids were thrilled to get a ride in the fire trucks and everyone enjoyed refreshments. Firefighters conducted bike helmet inspections and gave away smoke detectors.

   The fire district bonded $1.53 million over 25 years to complete the project. Taxpayers will contribute about $65 a year ($100,000 property assessment) to pay for the new construction

   Donald Whiteside, Mumford Fire Commissioner and building chairperson, said the new building is one that the entire community can be proud of. He says it was important to blend the new construction with the historical architecture of the original building. They enlisted MRB Group to design the new building that many people have said, looks like it was always there. Steve General Contracting completed the construction of it. Clerk of the Works Mike Kemnitz oversaw the construction process from start to finish.

   There were many reasons for the new construction, renovation and remodel of the building. The district’s fire trucks no longer fit in the old truck room and the kitchen facilities were quite old and outdated. The large room, known to many people as the community building room, was cold in the winter and in need of modernization so that it can continue to be a suitable location for fire department meetings and events.

   The new kitchen facilities include modern safety measures such as stainless steel food preparation surfaces and a sprinkler system. The building’s lavatories are handicap accessible.

   Fire Chief Tom McGinnis says the larger facility permits better storage for the fire trucks and quicker exit and response time when the alarm is sounded.

   Trucks had to be juggled to fit inside the old, smaller truck room. At times, trucks could be blocked from getting out at all. McGinnis also said the new training room and second floor apartment make it more convenient for the firefighters to participate in training exercises.

   The community cherished the historic brick Mumford fire hall and community building and are grateful that the fire commissioners made it a priority to preserve the signature architecture on the corner in Mumford.

Terry McGinnis and Mumford Fire Chief Tom McGinnis in front of a piece of antique fire equipment, circa early 1900’s, that is now on display in the fire hall window facing Main Street for passersby to enjoy. Many who attended the open house last Sunday got a close up look at the antique.

New Mumford Fire Hall in final construction stages

Construction on the $1.59 million Mumford Fire Hall is in its final stages and due to be completed by mid-December 2006. The district’s five fire fighting vehicles have taken residency in the newly constructed truck room while the finishing touches on the building project are being completed.

The Mumford Fire District floated a $1.53 million bond over 25 years that will cost taxpayers in the fire district about $65 a year for a property valued at $100,000. MRB Group designed the building to architecturally blend with the existing Mumford Community Building at the corner of Main and George Streets. Steve General Contracting performed the construction work.

The building’s much larger truck room comfortably houses all of the fire department’s trucks. In addition, two pieces of antique firefighting equipment, a hose reel and a hand pumper, each circa early 1900’s, will be displayed in the room’s front windows facing Main Street.

The new building features a wash room complete with a washing machine and sinks, a handicap lift, a large kitchen including a three-bay sink, stainless steel counter tops, a range, refrigerator, freezer and sprinkler system, handicap accessible lavatories, and a spacious and bright training room. All of the buildings heating and cooling systems have been updated as well. Two existing rooms in the Community Building (facing George Street) will get a face lift and be used as conference rooms for the fire district.

Don Whiteside, Mumford Fire Commissioner and project chairperson said they are pleased with the near final project and how it blended so well with the existing building. A building the entire district can be proud of, Whiteside says a grand opening for the public is being planned for sometime this winter.

Four large overhead doors make it easy for firefighters
to back the equipment into the large truck room.

The new and much larger truck room is already home
to the district’s firefighting equipment.

This beautiful window will proudly display the department’s two pieces
of antique fire equipment for all to view from Main Street.

This room was the former "gym" room. It was huge, drafty and it echoed. Now, much smaller, warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, the room will be used to hold training for firefighters.

This vestibule area was added to the project to enhance the aesthetic beauty of the addition with the existing building. Facing Main Street, there is an area where people can sit.

The complete view of the finished exterior of the new fire hall
from Main Street, beautifully blended with the existing building.