PLYMOUTH — Grant Milliron requested a meeting in December 2022 with Plymouth Fire Chief Richard Metzger.
When the two met Dec. 12, 2022, Milliron said through his friendship with the Frisch family and members of the village’s fire department, a seed had been planted by God within him to help the department and community.
The late businessman and philanthropist worked with Metzger to review every aspect of the department — including its staffing, building, apparatus and finances.
Following several “homework assignments,” Milliron made a decision on what the “seed from God was.”
During Tuesday’s village council meeting, Metzger announced Milliron made the decision to partner with Plymouth and provide a donation for the replacement of the current fire station on Portner Street.
A new station will be built on the former Plymouth High School property, located at 184 Sandusky Street.
“We as a community are very blessed to have this opportunity,” the chief said.
“On behalf of the Village of Plymouth, the Plymouth Fire Department and the community, I again thank the Millirons, the Milliron Foundation and everyone involved from the bottom of my heart.”
Plymouth Mayor Cassaundra Fryman said the foundation is gifting the village $2.8 million toward the new station — estimated to cost around $3.4 million.
“This project is really the last thing that Grant really had his hands in project wise — to make happen for the county,” she said. “We’re just really grateful that we were on his radar and that he wanted to personally help fund this project for us.”
New station to address department’s current, future needs
The future fire station has been designed based on the future needs of the department. It will nearly double the size of the current station at 20 Portner St.
“The almost 12,000 square-foot, wood/steel hybrid structure will basically double our current space and provides what I consider to be a state-of-the-art facility — with the safety of our firefighters being made the top priority,” Metzger said.
Truck bays will be separated from living quarters in the new four-bay, eight-truck facility.
The new station will come finished with wall, floor and window treatments. Furnishing the station will be the department’s responsibility.
Metzger said the Plymouth Firefighters Association plans to raise funds through donations to cover furnishing costs and moving expenses. Donation letters will be issued to donors upon request.
‘Great day’ for future of Plymouth Fire Department
Fryman said she’s submitted grant applications through the state to help fund the village’s responsibility for project costs — adding construction could begin as early as this year.
“Hopefully, some of those pan out, but I’m still pursuing other avenues too, to hopefully find that gap in funding,” she said.
Other design features include three offices, a day room with kitchen, full restrooms with showers, bunk rooms, an exercise area and a dedicated gear storage area with a decon room.
Metzger said current plans also feature a “museum” for storage of the department’s Model A fire truck and a community room for fire trainings and community use.
“The new location will provide the space for any future expansion and easy access to Sandusky Street from Mary Fate Park Drive,” he said. “This is a great day for the future of the Plymouth Fire Department and our community.”
Milliron Foundation proceeds with partnership
In July 2023, Milliron died unexpectedly at age 88 — leaving a strong legacy via the impact he made throughout Richland County.
After working closely with Milliron for more than a year, Metzger said he was uncertain how the project would proceed. The pair’s efforts included “field trips” to other recently built fire stations and meetings with local property owners.
In fall 2023, Milliron’s son, Karl, got in touch with the chief.
“Mr. Milliron (Karl) had found his dad’s project folder, which included a set of plans for this project,” Metzger said.
“Meetings were held with Mayor Fryman and (village) council to present the project and discuss the future of it. The decision was then made by the Milliron Foundation to proceed with the donation towards the project and fulfill Grant’s goal.”
After several meetings with Karl (Milliron) and Simonson Construction, original plans were slightly refined and finalized with the Milliron Foundation on May 2.
The Milliron Foundation, Village of Plymouth and its fire department are working on the project with Ashland-based Simonson Construction Services.
Portner Street station dates to 1950s
Plymouth’s current fire station dates to the mid 1950’s and originally served as the home for the Plymouth Civil Defense.
After the program disbanded in the early 1970’s, the building was given to the Plymouth Fire Department to be used as the fire station. The lower portion of the building was added on in 1983 and allowed the department to house four additional trucks and extra equipment.
“Through the years we have utilized every square inch of space so we can keep up with the ever-changing needs of the fire service, EMS and our community,” Metzger said.
‘We have outgrown our house’
Lack of space at its current Portner Street station has limited the department’s ability to grow, as well as give its firefighters areas to sleep comfortably or shower.
“We currently provide part-time fire and EMS coverage for the community and do not have any places for personnel decon (showers) or bunk areas for overnight personnel to sleep,” the chief said.
“Our fire gear is stored out in the apparatus bays and is continuously exposed to diesel exhaust and contaminates.”
Metzger added structural concerns — including separation of the building’s walls due to the weight of the roof — cause him the most fear.
“We are finding it harder to find trucks that will fit and have to make adjustments with new trucks so they will fit in the bays,” he explained. “Exiting the station is difficult as cramp angles and turning radiuses are wider than the area we have for turning onto Portner Street.
“We have outgrown our ‘house’ and have previously attempted to apply for many grants to replace or refurbish this building. It has served its purpose and has been a part of our community for almost 70 years.”
Metzger expresses gratitude for Milliron
The magnitude of Grant Milliron’s efforts brought visible emotion to Metzger as he announced the news Tuesday.
“I would like to take this time to thank Mr. Grant Milliron for taking ‘the seed’ and planting it,” he said. “I just wish he could be here to watch it grow.”
“Mr. Milliron was a very selfless and caring person who is giving so much to our community and the surrounding communities, and words cannot express how grateful we are.
Metzger also expressed gratitude for Karl, who’s carried on the project his father began.
“I would also like to thank Mr. Karl Milliron for picking up this project where his dad left off and following the wishes of Grant through the Milliron Foundation,” Metzger said.
“Karl is indeed following in his father’s footsteps and will carry on his dad’s legacy for years to come.”
