Pantagraph.com | News | Firestation makes a BIG splash

NewsTuesday, September 4, 2007 2:52 PM CDT

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Firestation makes a BIG splash

By Michelle Koetters
mkoetters@pantagraph.com

HUDSON — Six-year-old Ryan Deany grinned from ear to ear as he wore a firefighter’s gear from head to toe.

Hudson volunteer firefighter Tommy Barnes helped Ryan try on the firefighter’s jacket and helmet Monday afternoon at an open house for the new Hudson fire station.

The Hudson Community Fire Protection District moved from its 5,000-square foot home on Front Street and into its 11,000-square foot, $1.2 million facility at 502 N. Broadway St. about two weeks ago after almost a year of construction work. The land where the facility was built was donated by Ruth Hamm, who was honored at the open house.

“It’s a lot better than the place we had,” Barnes said. “The place we had was so small.”

Ryan, of Mackinaw, likes fire engines because “they save people.”

That kind of dedication to saving lives is the reason many community members came together to celebrate the new and bigger fire station on Labor Day.

“I know they put a lot of time and effort into getting here,” said Todd Funk, who grew up in Hudson and wanted to see the new station. “It’s nice.”

Fire Chief Del Thomas agreed Hudson needed a new station because the old building was too small, and the department had more equipment than it could hold there. He also had some safety concerns that stemmed from having the fire engines parked so close together at the old station.

“It was very crowded,” he said.

The garage now easily houses three fire engines and four other trucks as well as an ambulance, a boat and an underwater rescue trailer. The new station also has a larger meeting room and kitchen, two offices and a workout area.

The 2.6 acres land as well as the building’s furniture and televisions were donated, Thomas said.

“You can’t believe how much donations we’ve had,” Thomas said. “People are just very kind.”

Sally Modine was happy to see the fire department move into a new station because she knows how hard the firefighters work. Her husband, Steve, is an EMT and firefighter.

“It’s a labor of love,” Modine said.

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Reader comments on this story - 3 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

HFD wrote on Sep 4, 2007 12:43 PM:

" Hudson never had an abulance. HFD didn't transport patients until mid August. I should know as I've been on the department for 10+ years. "

To What? wrote on Sep 4, 2007 10:46 AM:

" They've had an ambulance for at least five years, I used to be on the department. "

What? wrote on Sep 4, 2007 10:19 AM:

" The fire station houses an ambulance??? In Hudson???? So it ain't so....when did the chief see the light???? "

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