PLYMOUTH — The hairs on Richard Metzger’s arms stood up as he spoke about the Plymouth Fire Department’s new station.
Metzger, Plymouth fire chief since 2009, didn’t mince words when speaking about the new $3.4 million station — expected to be completed by the end of August.
When asked if he ever thought a new station was a possibility, he simply replied “never.”
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the community,” Metzger said. “And absolutely once-in-a-career for a lot of fire chiefs and I’m just proud to be able to have a part in it.
“I never thought I’d see it. Never did. I get goosebumps even thinking about it.”
Members of the public can tour the new station at 184 Sandusky St. on Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. The event, scheduled exactly one year and a day from the station’s groundbreaking, will be lead by a dedication ceremony, followed by an open house.
As of Aug. 4, the chief said Ashland-based Simonson Construction Services has completed about 90 percent of the state-of-the-art station.
“There’s systems in there that I’ve never had,” said Metzger, who has been with the Plymouth department since 1994.
Finishing touches to lighting, electrical and plumbing are about the only tasks that remain before unveiling the new build. The department has set a goal to be moved in and operational out of the new station by Oct. 1, the chief said.
Plymouth Volunteer Firefighters Association raising funds
The new station was made possible largely through a $2.8 million gift from the Milliron Foundation. Coupled with a $600,000 state grant, the facility is fully funded without the need for additional local tax money.
The Plymouth Volunteer Firefighters Association has been raising funds through donations to cover furnishing costs, moving expenses and technology and communications equipment — with a $70,000 fundraising goal.
Calvin Redden, the association’s treasurer, said a fair amount of donations have been received from both residents and businesses in Plymouth and surrounding communities.
“We’re sitting at $20,455 just in cash donations,” said Redden, who’s also a lieutenant with Plymouth fire and a full-time firefighter with the Shelby Fire Department.
Metzger shared that he was even approached by a resident, who shared she was on a fixed income, who handed him a $5 bill. The interaction made him emotional.
He said her name will be one of many listed on a donors wall at the new station.
“Everybody that donates is going to be on there, no matter the amount,” Metzger said.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the community.”
— Richard Metzger, Plymouth fire chief
Built for future generations
The Plymouth Fire Department currently has 24 firefighters, including paramedics, on its roster, Metzger said.
The firehouse will have accommodations 24/7 for up to nine firefighters, with the possibility of supporting two additional in the future. Truck bays will be separated from living quarters in the new four-bay, eight-truck facility.
An 11,600 square-foot facility, the station will also include a 1,000 square-foot mezzanine for mechanical equipment, storage and fire and rescue training.
A community room and museum are also planned, which will become the permanent home of Plymouth’s original 1929 Model-A fire engine.
Neither Metzger or Redden could think of a negative aspect of moving to a new station.
“Pretty much everything that we’ve asked for from Simonson and the (Milliron) Foundation, they’ve pretty much granted us everything we saw as a need,” Redden said.
With more than three decades of going to work at the Portner Street station, Metzger said the most challenging adjustment may be fighting his own muscle memory.
He said he’s been at the 20 Portner St. facility almost daily for the past 15 years.
“I’m very proud to be a part of it and glad that I am here to be a part of it,” Metzger said. “I made it.”
